Foodwise | November 3, 2023 | View as Webpage

Sweet to Tart, Buttery to Crisp: A Farmers Market Guide to Pears

As leaves turn from green to gold and the fruits of summer begin to dwindle, locally harvested pears are among the welcome signs of fall at the farmers market. Local farmers bring a unique rotation of pears to their stands, ranging in flavor and texture, from sweet to tart and creamy to crisp. Freshly harvested pears are available from August through November, but cold storage helps farmers elongate their seasonality through the winter months, too.

There are now about 3,000 cultivated varieties of pears worldwide. Here’s a brief guide to a few special varieties that you’ll find at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, some of which you won’t find at the grocery store and are only available at farmers markets.

This Week's Picks

See more picks

Support These Indigenous-Led Efforts to Preserve Traditional Foodways on Ohlone Land

November is Indigenous People's Month. Learn about and find ways to support some of the Bay Area based Indigenous-led efforts to reclaim land and revitalize traditional culture, including stewardship and food sovereignty.

Learn more

Winter Squash, Wild Rice, and Apple Soup with Sage

At the Foodwise Classroom, chef Charles Vollmar shared this recipe for a comforting, nourishing soup, featuring market squash and apples.

Try the recipe

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Featured Vendors

New on Saturdays! Gumbo Social and Yes Pudding

Chef Dontaye Ball is behind the pop-up sensation Gumbo Social, which just opened a restaurant in the Bayview. He's now joining the Saturday lineup, serving up gumbos, po'boys, and more, plus dessert from Yes Pudding.

Meet Gumbo Social

Root Down Farm's Turkey Orders Are Open

Root Down Farm is a queer-owned farm that raises chickens, ducks, turkeys, and pigs. Find them at the Ferry Plaza on Saturdays, and pre-order your Thanksgiving turkey online for pickup at the farm.

Meet Root Down Farm

Mission Community Market: Featured Vendors

Free Seasonal Samples at the Foodwise Education Station

Foodwise operates education programming for eaters of all ages. On Thursday, bring your curiosity to the Foodwise Education Station to sample fall produce from the market.

Learn more about our programs

Fall Fruits Arrive at Arata Farms

From the warm-summer Mediterranean climate of Byron, California, farmer Mike Arata brings a variety of fall fruits to the farmers market, including persimmons and quince.

Meet Arata Farms

Community Happenings

Fall San Francisco Restaurant Week | November 3-16 | SF

SF International Tea Festival | November 4 & 5 | SF

Bayview Uncorked 2023: Southeast San Francisco Celebration | November 4 | SF

Tierra Vegetables Farm Dinner | November 5 | Santa Rosa (visit their Ferry Plaza booth tomorrow to learn more)

Slow Food East Bay’s Celebrating Cultural Food Traditions: Philippines | November 5 | Oakland

2024 Hospitality Trends Report Webinars | November 13 & 15 | Online (proceeds benefit Foodwise and will be matched!)

Book Talk for Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American Cities by John King | November 14 | SF

Seeding Regenerative Futures: Real Climate Solutions in Ag | November 14 | Online

Foodwise Demo: Nichole Accettola, Scandinavian from Scratch |November 18 | SF

Foodwise Demo: Mo'Raysha Pouoa, Mo'Raysha's | November 18 | SF

Fall Holiday Farmers Market | November 21 | SF

Foodwise Demo: Shelley Lindgren (A16) and Kate Leahy, Italian Wine | December 2 | SF

Fibershed Talk and Yarn Spinning Demo | December 2, 16, 23 | SF

Market Updates

This is the most up-to-date info about this week's seller attendance at the time of publication. Please check in at the Foodwise Info Booth for any last-minute changes.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Saturday, 8am-2pm | November 4

New! Gumbo Social

La Cocina Pop-Up: Andina

Mandela Partners Pop-Up:Chef Sarah Germany

Returning: Capay Mills, Old Dog Ranch, Proyecto Diaz Coffee

Out: Bariani Olive Oil, Kuali

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Tuesday, 10am-2pm | November 7

New!Nucha Empanadas

En2Action Pop-Up:California Sweet Chicken

SF Black Wealth Pop-Up:Mo'Raysha's

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Thursday, 10am-2pm | November 9

En2Action Pop-Ups: Afro Street Sizzle & Quisqueya La Bella