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Oahu Farmers Markets

While supermarkets have spoiled Americans by supplying most fruits and vegetables year-round, such mass-marketed fare can never really compete with the freshness of produce and vegetables grown in the area and the intimate feel of the local farmers market. Mark the coming of spring by taking a jaunt to one of these farmers markets in Oahu and treat yourself to the best of the season.

The pet-friendly Saturdays Farmers Market is the most popular market in the area and allows you to meet the farmers and food producers of Hawaii’s diversified agricultural scene. Choose from a wide variety of items, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, beef, aqua-cultured seafood, fresh-baked breads, hand-made pastas, tropical jams and jellies, baked goods, locally harvested honey, specialty seasonings and more, with some items not even available in grocery stores. In addition, well-established restaurants provide breakfast food items to eat on the spot, such as short rib poi stew with rice and scrambled eggs once served by Chef Troy Terorotua of Big G’s Catering. Students of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific are also on hand trying out their culinary chops for visitors to taste. Be sure to check out the special exhibits that are often a part of the day’s events, such as sheep from the Pa-o-na Keiki Petting Zoo on display with members of the Hawaii Handweavers’ Hui spinning wool. Kapiolani Community College (KCC) at Diamond Head, Saturdays, 808-848-2074, www.kapiolani.hawaii.org.

Fresh Fridays is a free open market selling locally grown produce. In addition, there are cooking demonstrations on select Fridays and educational information on eating and living healthy. Kaiser Permanente’s Honolulu Clinic, Fridays, 808-432-2000.

Windward Open Market has vendors ranging from local farmers to backyard growers. Produce, fresh flowers, native Hawaiian plants and craft items are sold here. Heeia State Park, Sundays, 808-948-1111.

Ward Farmers Market is full of cheap, fresh and delicious eats. It's centrally located in Honolulu and anchored by the Marukai Marketplace and Tropic Fish & Vegetable Center, open daily, 303-597-8103.

Fort Street Open Market offers Polynesian crafts as well as food items. Wilcox Park in front of Macy’s, Tuesdays & Fridays, 808-524-4195.

Waikiki Farmers Market features fruits, vegetables, musubi (rice balls) and chow mein. The parking lot of Waikiki Community Center, Tuesdays & Fridays, 808-923-1802.

Hawaii Kai Towne Center’s Farmers Market features fresh fruits and vegetables three days a week. Hawaii Kai Towne Center, call for days open: 808-396-0766.

Check out other Hawaii events!

(Updated: 07/07/08 HC)