I went shopping at the Modesto farmers market with a $20 budget. Here’s what I got

Angela Rodriguez
·3 min read

Inside Look is a Modesto Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Despite being born and raised in Stanislaus County, I’d never been to the Modesto Certified Farmers Market until recently.

Something — whether it was my work schedule or family plans — always got in the way of me making a stop.

The market operates on Thursday and Saturday mornings on 16th Street between H and I Streets, next to the Stanislaus County Library.

I finally set aside some time on a recent Thursday morning to venture through the vendors at the Modesto farmers market with a $20 budget.

Here’s what I got:

Visit the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market with our On a Budget reporter. Here’s all the she bought from vendors for under $20.
Visit the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market with our On a Budget reporter. Here’s all the she bought from vendors for under $20.

What’s for sale at Modesto Certified Farmers Market?

I arrived at the market with my toddler a little after 11 a.m.

Though some of the vendors had already packed up for the day, there still was a street full of vendors for me to explore.

Before making any purchases, I took a few trips up and down 16th Street to scope out what was for sale.

Available items included handcrafted goods, organic produce, fruity beverages and fresh flowers.

Here are some of the vendors at the market on Thursday morning:

  • BunBao

  • Burch Bees

  • Dale’s Gourmet Kettle Popcorn

  • Dave’s Meat Service

  • Fruitopia Fruit Bowls

  • Hummus Heaven

  • J&J Ramos Farms

  • Kelley Flower Farm

  • Natalia’s Crepes

  • Rosa’s Portuguese Bakery

  • Southeast Asia Grill

  • Supermoms On The Go

In the latest “On a Budget” series, Modesto Bee service journalism reporter Angela Rodriguez is bringing you along on her budget-friendly adventures at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market.
In the latest “On a Budget” series, Modesto Bee service journalism reporter Angela Rodriguez is bringing you along on her budget-friendly adventures at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market.

How I spent my $20 budget

After about 20 minutes of browsing in the 90-degree heat, my toddler and I had developed an appetite.

Several tempting options — from a Hot Cheetos hot dog to Nutella-covered mini pancakes — caught my eye during my stroll.

Pro tip: Some stands offer free samples.

It took a few minutes for me to decide what to get, but I settled on a pastry from Rosa’s Portuguese and European Bakery.

An almond croissant from Rosa’s Portuguese and European Bakery at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market.
An almond croissant from Rosa’s Portuguese and European Bakery at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market.

The stand sold bags of bread and several pastry items all under $10.

I chose an almond croissant for $5.

It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside — exactly what I look for in a pastry.

Once my stomach was full, I set off to my next stop.

During one of my rounds through the market, I spotted a stand selling fresh flowers.

The Kelley Flower Farm stand had two options for shoppers at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market, including a desk bouquet for $8 and a farmstand bunch for $25.
The Kelley Flower Farm stand had two options for shoppers at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market, including a desk bouquet for $8 and a farmstand bunch for $25.

Kelley Flower Farm had two options: a desk bouquet for $8 and a farmstand bunch for $25. Only the desk bouquet fit within my $20 budget, so I chose a premade one with a variety of vibrant flowers, including chrysanthemums, rosemary and perennials.

That put my total at $13.

Before leaving the market, I knew I had to grab some organic produce.

Pro tip: Some vendors accept payment from state financial assistance programs, including WIC and CalFresh.

The options produce stands had available were a little above my remaining $7 budget, from a carton of strawberries for $10 to a bowl of cherries for $12.

However, J&J Ramos Farms had an offer I couldn’t pass up: mix-and-match fruit for $3 a pound. I filled my bag with two peaches, two nectarines and three apricots for $5.75.

The J&J Ramos Farms stand was offering a a mix and match deal on fruit for $3 a pound at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market.
The J&J Ramos Farms stand was offering a a mix and match deal on fruit for $3 a pound at the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market.

As the market sellers began to pack up for the day, my toddler and I found a shady spot by the Stanislaus County Library to enjoy our fruit.

Thanks to our appetites, half the bag didn’t make it back home.

Although I wish I could have grabbed a larger selection of flowers and a bigger bag of fruit, I still consider my trip to the Modesto Certified Farmers Market a success.

I managed to get a little bit of everything, all for a total of $18.75.

The Modesto Bee’s On A Budget reporter Angela Rodriguez stops by the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market. Here’s what she got under $20.
The Modesto Bee’s On A Budget reporter Angela Rodriguez stops by the Modesto Certified Farmers’ Market. Here’s what she got under $20.

When is Modesto’s farmers market open?

The Modesto Certified Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays during specific seasons.

Here’s when the market is open this year:

  • Saturdays through Dec. 21

  • Thursdays through Oct. 31

Pro tip: When visiting, remember that dogs are not allowed at any certified farmers market in California.

The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays during the specified seasons.
The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays during the specified seasons.

Where should I go next?

Have any ideas on where I should visit next in Modesto on a budget?

Send me recommendations at arodriguez@modbee.com or by filling out the form below.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.

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