Seasonal Guide to the Almaden Valley Farmers Market

The Almaden Valley Farmers Market operates year-round at the Via Valiente Plaza on Almaden Expressway, anchored by local family farmers who have served the neighborhood for nearly two decades. Run by Joe and Berni Aliotti through the CHAMP Farmer Markets organization, the market provides Almaden Valley residents with direct access to farm-fresh produce, flowers, eggs, and specialty foods without the markup or transit time of grocery store supply chains.

Spring: March Through May

Spring is when the Almaden Valley Farmers Market hits its stride. Strawberry season kicks off in March and builds through April, with local farms bringing flats of berries that outperform anything on grocery store shelves in flavor and freshness. Asparagus, artichokes, and English peas arrive in abundance, alongside bunches of spring onions, radishes, and tender lettuces that thrive in the mild Santa Clara Valley growing season.

This is also when the flower vendors expand their displays. Ranunculus, sweet peas, and early sunflowers make appearances, and the market becomes a practical stop for event decorating and gifts. Foot traffic climbs as the weather warms, and musicians and food trucks fill out the market’s social atmosphere.

Summer: June Through September

Summer brings the market’s broadest selection and biggest crowds. Stone fruit dominates from June through August — peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots from inland farms south of Gilroy arrive at peak ripeness. Tomatoes in every variety from Early Girls to heirlooms take over vendor tables by July, alongside sweet corn, peppers, and melons.

Almaden Valley’s summer heat (regularly above 85 degrees by midmorning) means early arrivals get the best selection. Regulars from the neighborhoods around Almaden Expressway and Camden Avenue learn to show up within the first hour for the widest choice of stone fruit and the shortest lines at the prepared food vendors.

Summer is also the season when gourmet food trucks rotate through the market most frequently. The combination of fresh produce shopping and ready-to-eat food makes the market a practical Saturday morning destination for families who combine a grocery run with a casual breakfast or early lunch.

Fall: October Through November

The transition into fall shifts the market’s character. Summer stone fruit gives way to apples, pears, and persimmons from foothill orchards. Winter squash varieties — butternut, acorn, delicata, kabocha — start arriving in October and remain available through Thanksgiving.

Root vegetables come into their own during fall: sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, and parsnips offer hearty cooking options as temperatures drop into the 60s and 70s. Fresh cranberries and pomegranates round out the seasonal selection, and several vendors offer Thanksgiving-specific bundles with all the fixings for a holiday meal sourced directly from local farms.

Fall also marks the start of citrus season in the Santa Clara Valley. Early-season mandarins and satsumas appear by late October, giving a preview of the winter citrus abundance to come.

Winter: December Through February

Winter at the Almaden Valley Farmers Market is quieter but no less worthwhile. Citrus takes center stage — navel oranges, blood oranges, Meyer lemons, grapefruits, and kumquats from Central Valley and coastal farms provide some of the most flavorful produce of the entire year. Bay Area farmers market regulars know that California citrus peaks in winter, and the Almaden market delivers this seasonal advantage.

Hearty greens dominate the vegetable selection: kale, chard, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts thrive in the cooler months. Mushroom vendors from the Santa Cruz Mountains bring chanterelles and other foraged varieties when winter rains cooperate.

The market continues to operate through winter months, though the vendor count and foot traffic decrease from summer peaks. Rainy Saturdays can thin the crowd considerably, which loyal shoppers view as an advantage — shorter lines and more time to chat with farmers about what is coming into season next.

Beyond Produce

The Almaden Valley Farmers Market is more than fruits and vegetables. Regular vendors include local honey producers, artisan bread bakers, olive oil pressers, and cheese makers. Fresh eggs from pasture-raised hens are a consistent draw, and several prepared food vendors offer tamales, empanadas, kettle corn, and other ready-to-eat items.

The market also connects residents with the broader Almaden Valley community. Conversations between neighbors browsing vendor tables replace the anonymity of grocery store aisles, and the market serves as an informal bulletin board for community events, school fundraisers, and local business promotions.

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