Mother’s Day usually means I get to pick the activities and the meals (and I don’t have to make them). Typically I pick a local farmer’s market or food hall to go wander. I spend time perusing the aisles to restock my pantry and dream up delicious dishes as I go.
Unfortunately, I don’t get to do that this year. Instead, I’m going to find a quiet space, have the hubs make me a good cup of coffee and peruse virtually. Here are 5 virtual farmer’s markets and food halls to get your fix.
This market isn’t available everywhere, but if they are in your area you are going to love them. You order directly from farms that are within a four-hour radius of your zip code and your items are delivered directly to your door. It really is the next best thing to being in the open-air farmer’s market.
Each farm has its own “farmstand” so you can see what each farmer offers. You can order from one or as many as you want. Near us we can cheese fresh from the maker, organic meats, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Even if you haven’t visited a lot of food halls you’ve probably heard of Eataly. This Italian market has multiple locations now, but got its start in Turin, Italy. When I’m in New York City I like to wander through one of the two locations. It brings back memories of trips to Italy with the smells and the tastes. Even if you aren’t near one of their locations you can enjoy most of their products with online ordering.
My favorite products include 00 flour, pici pasta, Venchi Pistachio Cremino bar, and their kits make great gifts.
Another Italian power player, Gustiamo is probably not as well known to you. This importer was started in 1999 and has become a favorite among top chefs and food lovers across the country. I love searching this site by region. When I’m looking to recreate a dish from a specific region of Italia I am sure to find what I need on this site.
Go-tos include olive oil, dark gianduja chocolate with whole hazelnuts, and pistachio spread (this is great on shortbread or toast). Be sure to check back during the holiday season because they carry many seasonal items that make an Italian holiday complete.
This site is the online home of the family-owned food halls in Berkeley and Oakland, California. With a curated collection of items from around the world this might become your new go-to. And if the stories behind the foods and brands is your love language you might spend all day on this site.
Favorites include their condiments section, the Rouge Bourbon Tea by Mariage Freres, and Partridges Almond & Rose Butter Biscuits.
https://www.markethallfoods.com/
Living on the East Coast it is easy to find great Italian markets, but I haven’t been able to find a good Spanish market. I have a soft spot for this cuisine since Spain is where I got engaged. If you love cooking Spanish food at home you need to know about this online market. When I’ve tried to recreate dishes this has been my one-stop-shop.
Don’t miss the jamon, the Magdalenas Valencianas Breakfast Muffins, and the cookware that can make all the difference in a dish.
And a few more we love:
I can’t wait until we can get back out there and chat with the producers, taste the samples of their delicious wares, and walk away feeling inspired and ready to hit the kitchen.
When we can get back to farmer’s markets, restaurants, and food halls you should consider perusing in person at a few of our favorites:
Mercato Centrale, Florence, Italy
Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide, Australia
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