Kapaa Farmers’ Market: How Much Did We Spend?

Posted on by Laura & Brett
It was cool and drizzly yesterday, so crowds were larger than usual. If the weather's good there are fewer tourists.
It was cool and drizzly yesterday, so market crowds were larger than usual. If the weather’s good there are fewer tourists – they head to the beach!

Every Wednesday afternoon Brett and I get ourselves down to the Kapaa Farmers’ Market, located in the parking lot near the New Town Park. The market begins at 3:00 sharp with the blowing of a whistle (with no buying or selling allowed before the whistle), but we always like to be there a little bit early so we can scope out what’s available and how much it we can afford. We always go with a list, but are open to buying other things if we see something we like and can eat in the coming week, and if the price is right.

The last few weeks at the market have been frankly amazing. We’ve been going to the market for over three years now, and I can’t remember seeing such an abundance of fruits and vegetables, all of them freshly picked that morning. There really is something for everyone.

Here is just a fraction of what was available yesterday:

Giant heads of broccoli
Giant heads of broccoli
Even bigger heads of cauliflower
Even bigger heads of cauliflower
Ripe papayas
Ripe papayas
Beautiful breadfruit (ulu) - so many tasty ways to prepare this
Beautiful breadfruit (ulu) – so many tasty ways to prepare this
Giant beets
Giant beets
Local honey
An assortment of local honey
Sweet, tasty jackfruit - these babies are bigger than soccer balls
Sweet, tasty jackfruit – these babies are bigger than basketballs
Hawaiian ginger bouquets
Hawaiian ginger bouquets

Our favorite produce stall is Dang’s Anahola Fresh Farm – we head there first every week, and buy most of our produce from them because of their great selection and prices. Although many farmers sell to restaurants and stores on the island, this family makes a good living selling at just three island markets during the week. Otherwise, they’re working on their farm.

Hanging Dang's sign before the market starts - the Dangs are from Thailand.
Hanging their farm sign before the market starts. The Dangs are from Thailand.
Some of Dang's beautiful produce, including lettuces, zucchini blossoms, fresh mint and daikon radishes.
Some of Dang’s beautiful produce, including lettuces, zucchini blossoms, peppers, beans, fresh mint and daikon radishes.

Finally, here’s what we bought yesterday. Can you guess how much we paid for all of this beautiful produce?

Our fruit purchases
Our fruit purchases
  • 1o navel oranges
  • 3 tangelos
  • 2 papaya
  • 1 bunch of bananas (7)
Our vegetable purchases
Our vegetable purchases
  • 1 giant head of broccoli
  • 1 small head of cauliflower
  • bag of ripe, medium tomatoes (9)
  • 1 large bunch Swiss chard
  • 1 large bunch bok choy
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 1 large zucchini
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 small jar honey with comb as a treat for Brett

Prices will be revealed on Sunday!

Published by Laura & Brett

Slow traveling the world with a sense of adventure!

8 thoughts on “Kapaa Farmers’ Market: How Much Did We Spend?”

  1. WOW! That produce looks so amazing. I’m totally jealous. And I can’t imagine how much it cost, but I’m going to guess about $40.

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    1. There has been amazing stuff lately – Brett and I have had a blast looking at everything, and it’s been hard to limit our shopping to things we can eat in a week or so.

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  2. It’s interesting that there are more fruits and vegetables than you’ve seen before. Any idea why? Have you had more rain this year? It all looks great!

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    1. The farmer that grows the incredible broccoli and cauliflower said that the cooler weather and rain has meant things are growing bigger. She said she can still grow them when it’s warmer, but they don’t get as big. So maybe that’s it. It’s also interesting that some years there seems to be an abundance of certain crops, and other years they’re a bust. Two years ago they could barely give away mangos and lychees because there was so much available, and then last year there were hardly any. I don’t think we saw any lychees in the market.

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    1. I had a papaya for breakfast this morning – they’re incredibly sweet, with an almost perfume-like taste. Delicious! The enzymes in papaya are also very good for your digestive system!

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  4. Lucky you with such great choices and so fresh….can you tell it is February in New England and the produce selections are uninspiring?!

    My guess is $47 yet I know you are frugal so I’m probably on the high side 🙂

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    1. The weekly farmers’ market is in the top three of Things I Love About Living on Kaua’i. I’ll have the total and price breakdown on Sunday!

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