Bargain Hound Feels Produce Deprived

(Each Friday Bargain Hound will look at how to save money and have fun in San Leandro and vicinity. Past columns have looked at as well as and .)

I went sniffing around town for good produce markets. I am not a happy dog.

San Leandro may once have been orchard country but you'd never know it from the slim pickings out there today.

As most of you already know, smart dogs grow their own fruits and veggies or head out of town for good quality fresh produce -- not to mention organics which are few and far between here. 

So what is out there.

Once again, check out our local ethnic markets (see prior column and for names and locations).

Ethnic markets are the best places to find really fresh produce and competitive prices without getting on the highway. But the selection is limited and you won't find organics.

has a great deli, a yummy cheese counter and a selection of artisan breads. But it can't compete with bigger markets in Oakland, Berkeley, or Walnut Creek. On the bright side, during cherry and apricot season, Estudillo Produce sometimes has "no spray" fruit from local sources at very good prices. It's "almost organic" for less than Farmers Market prices. When it appears, run to grab it and stock up.

If you're willing to let a website do your produce shopping, you might check out Eatwell Farm.com a local Community Supported Agriculture outlet (866-627-2465).

CSA's buy straight from farmers and get year-round, locally-grown fresh produce, including organics, at great prices.

On the down side, CSAs deliver what their constituent farmers produce. So if you want plums but nature has delivered a bumper crop of peppers, guess what you'll get.

Here's a fair analysis of the pros and cons of CSAs from one blogger. LocalHarvest.com is a central source of information and support for CSAs.

You could always become a true Bay Area foodie and learn to forage from the edible plants around us. Here's a quick list of the goodies hiding in your garden:

• avocado leaf
• dandelion
• calendula
• gardenia
• gladiola
• jasmine
• common mallow
• nasturtiums
• pansies
• sunflowers
• violets
• grape and fig leaves.

A quick on-line search will turn up the best ways to use them. Nasturtium pesto, anyone?

Or do it the old fashioned way: put your back yard or balcony space to work, grow your own and trade with the neighbors.

San Leandro has one of the best micro-climates in the Bay Areas so almost anything goes. I'll cover gardening bargains down the road but you don't need much to get started.

Just want a few herbs? All you need is a sunny window sill.

Want a cheap green house to feed the family?

Do it the European way and plant near an outside wall, then lean an old glass window against the wall at a 45 degree angle to catch the sun and hold in the heat. That will probably provide all the warmth your plants will need during the winter season.

Want something a bit larger? Just build a box shape from straw bales, fill it with several inches of compost, then dirt, then plant your crops and cover with an old glass window. Can you dig it -- instant green house!

Finally and reluctantly, because the Bargain Hound avoids Big Box, maybe you've found deals in those large steel rectangles with their ginormous parking lots. If so, chime in with a comment.

But as may be apparent by now, this dog answers to the call of the wild.

UPDATE: Added from the comments. Why no mention of the very popular San Leandro Farmer's Markets? The Bayfair Farmer's Market operates every Saturday, year round rain or shine, 9 AM to 1 PM. The Downtown Farmer's Market operates Wednesdays, April through October, 4 PM to 8 PM.

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