Just like we are touting new businesses that open during this challenging time, Balakian Farms…read morestarted participating at the Ferry Farmers Market this spring under less than optimal conditions. Their stand is set up on south driveway across from that famous porchetta sandwich stand. They joined this market in April or May, sharing their bounty of tomatoes, stone fruits, and figs. Early on, I was buying their white peaches, white nectarines, yellow nectarines, and varieties of pluots (cross between plum and apricot) and plums. I also bought figs, green and purple, as well as heirloom tomatoes for a hearty soup recipe. Sorry for the lack of photos as I forgot to take them before devouring those delicious peaches and nectarines. As summer winds down, I am down to yellow nectarines and pluots mainly now. Stop by before they are gone.

I was eager to find them at the Ferry Building Farmer's Market after trying their delicious fruit…read moreat a restaurant. Sadly, everything I brought home was bruised and deteriorated quickly because of the bruises. A woman at the stand offered to select the items and I trusted she would choose good ones. Tomatoes, yellow peaches and yellow nectarines. She told me that the peaches and nectarines needed a few days to ripen but the first I ate unripe because I could see it wouldn't last with the bruising, the others had huge dark soft spots by the time they were ripe. Tomatoes were ripe but both had big soft spots. Maybe something unusual happened - I will go back and try again (and select myself).

Dawn is a rockstar and visiting her is a real treat. Berry season is limited and this family farm…read moreis grows delicious blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries picked and packed daily. There are seasonal jams and made to order baked goods. Blueberry coffee cake and cobblers are not to miss on Fridays!

I love Dawn and her berries! I take my family that live in Fresno to her berry cottage. I can't…read morestop talking about it. Her berries are fresh from the farm. No cold storage needed. And her cobblers are fantastic! Through out the summer I ordered 4! When berry season is over I'm sad but there's always next season!! C u then!

I'd be very careful purchasing fruit from Ken's Top Notch in the Fort Mason farmers market…read more Literally saw one of the employees smoking under the tent and blowing cigarette smoke all over the fruit. Absolutely disgusting. I attached a picture from a distance as I was walking away.

Located in the Torrance farmers market, Ken's has the best green organic pluots. Staff helped me…read morepick ripe and firm pluots that I hold enjoy. Fruit was clean and well organized. There is an option to pay by credit card for a small service fee. Can't wait for the next season.

I love their honey and fruits and veggies. At times I pickup fresh eggs. And great service!read more

After finding out about this farmstand and a little about the history of the owner a few years ago…read moreon social media, I've been wanting to stop by. I finally had a chance this summer on a day off to take the 40 minute drive and check it out. I was not disappointed. This is a small but year-round farm stand right off the side of the road with gravel space for cars to park. It is not greatly protected from the elements--and it was a hot hot day. I'm glad to see they at least had a few fans for the employees. The owner regularly works her stand, and when I was there, she offered to cut some fresh herbs or flowers for me while I perused the wonderful assortment of fruits, veggies and local honey. I ended up with some of the sweetest green grapes I've ever tried, a few different honeys to try (avocado and orange blossom), some freshly roasted peanuts, cucumbers, and an assortment of stone fruit. Everything was delicious, but the grapes were my favorite. Check out Sweet Girl Farms on Social media, or check out their website. They are active in the community, help to support other community growers (they even have eggs and other offerings), and enjoy a worthwhile visit to what should soon obtain the title of local treasure. I may not be able to stop by every week, but I hope to be a several times a year regular. This place is wonderful!

They always get me in & out, & the employees are respectful!! One time they even loaded me up after…read morethey were closed for 20 minutes. Best in the Central Valley

Apriums (hybrid of Apricot and Plum) - so sweet and juicy and "jammy" as described. Sublime…read more Purchased in Bucks County, PA - so not local but so delicious. Love it.

I thought their blueberries were excellent. In each purchase ( 18 ounces in clear plastic…read moreclamshell ), 1 or 2 or maybe 3 mightmight have had a stem attached to a berry itself. Otherwise all blueberries were of good size and consistent yummy good quality.

Good paychecks, but really REALLY long hours. I worked at Gerawan Farming in Reedley a few summers…read moreago and it was worth it because I saved up to buy my SLR camera in about two weeks, but the hours were so long that I was just too tired to do anything by the time I came home. So, I pretty much would work and sleep and work and sleep. Employees would usually work six days a week (and sometimes seven) and up to fourteen hours a day. It was insane, but I guess that's what comes with working in a factory. Most of the employee's didn't mind the hours and days, but these were people who had families to feed. The managers were pretty chill and friendly, but there was always drama going on between the female employees (which place doesn't have this!).

The fruit (peaches) are terrible! Ray and Dan, you should not compromise quality for quantity…read more They do not taste like any kind of peach so please do some R & D work to try and grow farm fruit trees with some actual peach flavor in the fruit. I.e., different hybrid. Oh, and in my opinion, as a consumer I feel the fancy boxed peaches displaying an employees picture, name and file number is not appropriate and should be nixed. In fact, the entire Walmart packaging concept is a waste of your money and resources