Sometimes, work has called me to L.A. for a week or more at a time. Since I reside in the chilly North where Farmers Markets only exist for 3 months, I take advantage of the warm climate markets whenever I can.

I've keep this article from Gridskipper firmly planted on my blackberry:
http://gridskipper.com/61818/farmers-markets-in-los-angeles

The article above has the locations and short reviews of good, popular market.

My personal favorite is the Atwater Village Farmers Market:
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=1821
The address is: 3250 Glendale Boulevard.

In my home area of Ontario, Canada, I find it's much more advantageous to use Farmers Markets as a meeting place rather than a supermaket replacement. This past summer, I spent most Saturday mornings talking to the people who ran the booths. Not only did I get to know a few more people in my community but most farmers at these events are happy to have people stop in all week long.

What I've done is lined up 4 farmers that are on my commute home from work. On Thursdays, I slip into each one and exchange a couple of bucks for fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce, beef, chicken, etc. It only takes an extra half hour and the folks are always happy to see me with goods in hand. I might recommend trying something like this in your community, Jason.
Source(s):
I'm an avid local shopper. Not because I'm crazy green or an environmentalist but because in contrast to supermarkets in my area, the food is fresher and the money goes to people who work for it.

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I love the Hollywood Farmer's Market:

http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=587

It's on Sundays between 8am and 1pm and is centered on the intersection of Ivar and Selma Aves. The vendors line the streets marked in blue:

http://www.panix.com/~geoff/Hollywood_Farmers_Market.png
The farmers stands are generally on Ivar Ave. and the prepared foods and handicrafts on Selma Ave. It's usually easy to find parking on the surrounding side streets, though there's also a parking garage ($2) at the LA Film School on the northeast corner of Ivar Ave. and Sunset Blvd.

Many commenters on Chowhound believe the HFM is second only to the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer's Market . . . and perhaps even better as the SMFM has been accused of becoming a "boutique wholesale operation":

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/09/local/me-market9

If you go early to the HFM you avoid the heaviest foot traffic, but later on, at, say around 11am, it becomes entertaining for people watching.

There's a Groundwork coffee shop at the northwest corner of Sunset and Cahuenga, a perfect spot to end a shopping run. Also, Amoeba Records is on the southeast corner and opens at 11am.

http://lacoffee.com/cafes.html
http://www.amoeba.com/store-locations/index.html#hollywood

Hint: if you go anytime after 10am, bring sunglasses and a hat as the sun shines directly up Ivar Ave. and can make browsing difficult.
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Santa Monica Main Street or Larchmont are both nice, good for people watching and organics. See the site below for a full listing by day and location.
Source(s):
http://www.farmernet.com/events/cfms

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