Little Italy Mercato

Little Italy Mercato is back this Saturday, October 17, on West Date Street in Little Italy. It's a certified farmers market, and it's the biggest one in San Diego County. On Saturdays, it takes up six city blocks on West Date Street, stretching from west of Kettner Boulevard all the way to Front Street. You'll find farm-fresh produce, pastured eggs, poultry, meat, nuts and plants from California farmers, and fish, olive oil, bread and sauces from local food makers. Local artisans and gifts are set up at each end.

There's also a Wednesday edition, which is a smaller weekday version of the same market. It brings in many of the same farmers and vendors, plus some that only show up mid-week, with artisan foods, crafts and art on the Piazza della Famiglia and the surrounding blocks. Both run year-round, rain or shine, under the motto 'Mangia Bene. Eat well. Be well.'

If you're heading there this Saturday, the market runs from 8 AM to 2 PM. The Wednesday edition is 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Both are centered at the Piazza della Famiglia, 523 West Date Street, in Little Italy.