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The Los Alamos Farmers Market: A Local Treasure

The local food movement is alive and well in Los Alamos.

By Jessica Walker Boehm on June 4, 2016

Los Alamos Farmers Market|
Courtesy of Larry Lamsa under a CC 4.0 license.

Thanks to the Los Alamos Farmers Market and the Los Alamos Cooperative Market, the community’s residents have easy access to fresh, healthy food no matter the season. Another bonus: By supporting these markets, patrons are also supporting area farmers and producers – a true win-win situation.

Los Alamos Farmers Market

Los Alamos Farmers Market|
Courtesy of Larry Lamsa under a CC 4.0 license.

The Los Alamos Farmers Market (LAFM) was established in 1970, and it has grown into a favorite place for shoppers to stock up on locally-grown and -produced foods. In addition to in-season fruits and vegetables, the market’s vendors offer items like baked goods, jams, jellies, tortillas, eggs, cheeses and meats. Plus, a few vendors sell non-edible products, such as goat milk soap, cut flowers and bedding plants, making the market a one-stop shopping destination for many residents.

“Most people in our community know the value of good food,” says Cindy Talamantes, LAFM manager. “They realize if they’re going to be healthy and live a healthy lifestyle, food is the first step. I believe that in Los Alamos, healthy living is more than just a way of life; it’s ingrained in our people, and that’s a good thing.”

From May through October, the market takes place in the Mesa Public Library parking lot every Thursday, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m. Two holiday-themed markets are held in December, and there’s a market the second Thursday of every winter month. According to Talamantes, the location of the winter markets varies, but they’re always held indoors.

“Our goal is not only for people to come to downtown Los Alamos to check us out, but also for them to visit other businesses nearby,” Talamantes says. “Maybe they’ll go to Starbucks, or head over to Ruby K’s Bagel Cafe for lunch, and we do see that happening – it’s all about helping the downtown area. We want people to visit other businesses when they come to the market because we want to see this area thrive.”

Los Alamos Cooperative Market

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Also in the city’s downtown is the Los Alamos Cooperative Market (LACM), which is another top spot for locals looking to pick up fresh, nutritious foods.

Open daily, the LACM includes a grocery store with items like natural and organic dairy products, including 100 varieties of cheese; bulk foods, such as nuts, beans and cereals; and non-edibles, including cleaning and paper products. The market receives produce two to three times a week, and its meat selection includes grass-fed beef, natural bison and Black Angus beef from Frontiere Natural Meats in nearby Denver, Colo.

Dropping by for a quick lunch? Patrons can order fresh, custom-made sandwiches from the market’s deli, and there’s a soup and salad bar that includes from-scratch soups as well as dressings made in-house. In addition, the deli’s grab-and-go case is filled with burritos, enchiladas, lasagna, sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit cups, fruit-and-yogurt parfaits, granola and more. When it comes to beverages, a broad selection of coffees, teas and fresh-squeezed juices is available.

The LACM’s wellness department has vitamins, supplements and personal care products, many of which are sourced from local vendors, while its mercantile department features locally made artisan and handmade products.

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