Ken K.
Yelp
Those who complain about this farmers market may have their own reasons, but if they were to visit a small one of a similar size, like ... Belmont Farmers Market in Northern California, NPFM clearly kicks Belmont FM's ass (and others) to the curbside and into the gutter.
Perhaps it is because San Diego county just has generally better quality produce...fruits and vegetables. Just cannot explain it. If you stay in SD for a week and visit some of the bigger farmers markets, you'll see the same faces and brands there too. e.g. Little Italy, or the other smaller one in Mesa. Each with its own unique flair. Can't resist sampling the delicious local varieties of greatness.
I was never really a fan of dried dates, until I tried a sample from the dried dates vendor (dates grown in Santee, CA) here. Quite simply put, packed with a ton of flavor, and the drying process kept all the good stuff inside. The texture was similar to that of a prune, sweet, but not overly sweet. Anyone tried the dried dates from College of San Mateo Farmer's Market in NorCal when available? All sugar, no date flavor, and somewhat...smokey. No contest. Maybe David Chang would like some Santee CA dried dates on a plate for a change instead of figs with his pork buns and bastardized overpriced instant noodles with pork berry?
The special organic green juice (from a vendor who sells at the other FMs in the area) that is loaded with goodness, including locally grown kale, apple, carrot, yada yada grows from the ground & trees type of stuff, extracted/juiced to order? It's not just for environmentalists, vegans, and raw foodies anymore. It's quite tasty. Who knows, drinking a few of these a day might make you look like a nubile 21 year old again.