BERKELEY, Calif. — Every week, vendors, musicians and shoppers alike flock to the Saturday Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market, connecting over a love of fresh, organic produce, lively community culture and activities and vibrant displays of flowers, fruits and vegetables. And while many of the more than 50 vendors offer fresh produce, there are also stands with less of a farm focus offering treats and basics.
From customer to seller
For those with a sweet tooth, Coracao provides vegan and organic chocolate naturally sweetened with coconut sugar. The chocolatier’s stand displays handmade candy available in all shapes and sizes, including bars, cups and hearts.
Customers choose from a variety of truffle and chocolate flavors such as the famous Berkeley Bar — a blend of nougat, cashew butter caramel and almonds —and the coconut and caramel-filled Golden Galleon, a staff favorite.
All of Coracao’s products are made with naturally sourced ingredients.
“It’s about being aware of what you’re eating. It’s candy that’s guilt-free,” said Coracao employee Ofra Fisher, who started out as a customer of the chocolatier.
“I’ve been buying their chocolate for 10 years,” she said. “I was one of the people walking around spending a lot of money. Now, I’m behind the table.”
A new take on something old
Abrothacary, a relatively new addition to the market, offers a line of tasteful, holistic products. The business, founded by Lauren Gauthier in April of 2018, specializes in bone and mineral broths.
“We get the bones from impeccably raised animals,” said vendor Phil Minnick, “and most of the ingredients we buy from our neighbors at the farmers’ market.”
Minnick added that the broths are a good source of fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K, which remain stored in the body for longer periods.
Along with flavorful pistachio milk and sweet treats in the form of bliss bars, Abrothacary also offers a juice cleanse to encourage gut detoxification and help people get in shape.
“The main goal of our company is health,” Minnick said.
Many flavors of almonds
Chico-based brand Beber Almond Milk uses almonds from Baugher Ranch Organics, a Glenn County farm, to produce its products. Their range of beverages includes classics and specialty drinks made in collaboration with other Chico companies, such as a caffeine-boosted cold brew and seasonally inspired lavender and chai-almond milk.
For those who are curious or die-hard fans of the beverages, Beber employee David Love says that their products can be found in several Bay Area markets and stores, including the Berkeley Bowl.
Berkeley’s vendors continue to change as growing seasons start and end. The Saturday market is only one of three Berkeley farmers’ markets, each of which occur on different days in different parts of the city.
A Tuesday afternoon market is in South Berkeley from 2 to 6:30 p.m., and a Thursday afternoon market runs in North Berkeley from 3 to 7 p.m. All three markets accept food stamps and offer produce, sweet treats and basics for all.
Very informative. Thank you.
This article is very well written, such a pleasure to read. The photos are beautifully delicious. I was invited into the market and cannot wait to try a Berkeley bar.