Get those jam jars ready, blackberries are in season
Here is a partial list of central San Joaquin Valley farm stands and farmers markets where you can find seasonal berries including cherries, blueberries and blackberries.
Farm stands
Harry’s Cherries
▪ When: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open seven days a week
▪ Where: 5044 S. Elm Ave, Fresno, corner of Elm and American avenues.
▪ Details: (559) 352-7282. Cherry season is rapidly winding down, so call first to make sure they are open.
Rancho Notso Grande (multiple varieties of berries on a u-pick farm)
▪ When: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Open seven days a week
▪ Where: South East corner of 12th and Excelsior Avenues, Hanford
▪ Details: (559)-269-1152
Royal Dawn Berries (grows blackberries and blueberries)
▪ When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondy through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
▪ Where: 15958 East Rose Avenue, Kingsburg
▪ Details: (559) 897-8629
Simonian Farms (specializes in blackberries and boysenberries)
▪ When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open seven days a week
▪ Where: 2629 S Clovis Ave, Fresno
▪ Details: (559) 237-2294
The Berry Lady Farms (grows blueberries and blackberries)
▪ When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
▪ Where: 39771 Road 28, Kingsburg
▪ Details: (559) 897-0963
Triple Delight Blueberries
▪ When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Saturday
▪ Where: Southeast corner of Highway 41 and Nebraska Avenue
▪ Details: (559) 287-3965
Farmers Markets
The Market on Kern in Fresno
▪ When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 25
▪ Where: Kern Street, between M and N streets in Fresno
▪ Details: 559-490-9966
The downtown market includes a variety of vegetables, tree fruits, berries, citrus and food vendors including Casa de Tamales, Amazing Brittle and Hamilton Ranches. There is also music and classes from Fulton Yoga Collective.
Oakhurst Farmers Market
▪ When: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, through October
▪ Where: True Value Home Center, 40596 Westlake Drive, Oakhurst
▪ Details: 559-683-7117
Shoppers of this foothills market can find cut flowers, fresh eggs, fruit preserves, honey, herbs, freshly baked bread, produce, olive oil and artisan goods.
Old Town Clovis Farmers Market
▪ When: 5:30-9 p.m. Fridays, through Sept. 29
▪ Where: Pollasky Avenue, between Third and Fifth streets, Old Town Clovis
▪ Details: 559-298-5774
The Old Town Clovis farmers market is one of the Valley’s oldest and largest seasonal markets. The market has a little of everything including organic produce, tree fruit, berries, vegetables, grapes, heirloom tomatoes, food trucks and entertainment.
Reedley Farmers Market
▪ When: 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays, May 24 through Aug. 30
▪ Where: 11th Street, downtown Reedley
▪ Details: 559- 856-1222
The Reedley market is making a comeback after a one-year hiatus. The market will feature a mix of farmers and products including peaches, plums, nectarines and pluots along with vegetables and homemade food products. The market is still looking for vendors, so if you are interested call the Reedley Downtown Association.
River Park Farmers Market in Fresno
▪ When: 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays until Oct. 24.
▪ Where: River Park, Blackstone and Nees avenues.
▪ Details: 559-994-9292
River Park Farmers Market is entering its 16th year with a full lineup of vendors. One of the city’s more popular seasonal markets, it offers lots of fruits, vegetables and tasty foods, including homemade cinnamon rolls, shaved ice and street-style roasted corn on the cob.
Sierra View Medical Center Market
▪ When: 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, through June 27. From July 11 through Aug. 29. the market moves to downtown Porterville, in front of City Hall on north Main Street.
▪ Where: North Jaye Street and West Putnam Avenue, Porterville.
▪ Details: 559-730-6021
The market will have about 20 vendors selling various produce, including tomatoes, cucumbers, tree fruit, berries, corn, watermelon, honey, fresh-squeezed juice, farm-fresh eggs. They also have prepared foods including roasted corn, Filipino food and roasted nuts.
Thursday Night Market Place in Hanford
▪ When: 5:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, through September 28.
▪ Where: Irwin and Seventh streets, Hanford
▪ Details: 559-582-9457
The market offers a large variety of farm-fresh produce including peaches, strawberries, cherries, grapes and prepared foods, including pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, and roasted corn on the cob.
Downtown Visalia Farmers Market
▪ When: 5-8 p.m Thursdays, through Sept. 21.
▪ Where: Church and Main streets, downtown Visalia.
▪ Details: 559-730-6021
Many of the vendors will be the same as in Porterville but will also include Rosa Brothers ice cream, the A&W ice cream truck, live music, and kids activities. The market is also home to popular food vendors like Baked Visalia, a local maker of fruit-filled pies.
Year-round farmers markets
▪ The Vineyard Farmers Market, Blackstone and Shaw avenues in Fresno. Open Saturday mornings, 7 a.m. to noon, and Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. The market features conventional and organic growers of vegetables, fruit, berries, citrus and specialty mushrooms. There are also flowers, eggs, fresh roasted coffee and food trucks, including Taste Kitchen.
▪ Kaiser Permanente Fresno Farmers Market, 7300 N. Fresno St. Open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. At Kaiser you will find artisanal cheese, local honey, fresh figs, dried fruit, organic stone fruit and berries. Food trucks include Raw Fresno and Casa de Tamales.
▪ Visalia Farmers Market, Sears parking lot, Mooney Boulevard and Caldwell Avenue. Open Saturdays 8-11:30 a.m. This market includes a little of everything, including stone fruit, cucumbers, peppers, hummus, pita chips, ornamental plants, lamb meat, citrus, cheese and pistachios.
▪ Manchester Center Farmers Market, 1901 E. Shields Ave. in Fresno. Open Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: 559-260-2915. Manchester Center’s market is home to farmers selling vegetables, berries, flavored nuts, citrus and flowers. There are also several foods trucks and local bakers, including The Brioche Lady.
▪ Old Town Clovis Farmers Market, Pollasky and Bullard avenues. Open Saturdays, 8-11:30 a.m. The market shares many of the same vendors from the Friday night market, including Shasky Farms, Farmer & The Dale and Top O’ The Morn Farms.
▪ Valley Fresh Farmers Market, Valley Children’s Hospital, 9300 Valley Children’s Place, Madera County. Open Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Along with farmers selling fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, the market features several food trucks including Takobbq Truck, Ganesh Masala and Sanchez Grilled Corn on the Cob.
This story was originally published May 17, 2017 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Get those jam jars ready, blackberries are in season."