Finding Farmers Market Gold in Silver Lake

New farmers markets open and close frequently, but the month-old Silver Lake venture looks to have a good shot at taking root because it has a community that’s eager for its offerings, mostly located within walking distance.

Apple mavens appreciate mountain-grown fruit from Ha’s Apple Farm for its superb color and flavor. Saturday, Choon Kim, David Ha’s niece, had a full lineup that included newly harvested, super-sweet Fujis, aromatic Golden Delicious, Firm Golden (a crunchier, sweeter form with thicker skin) and old-fashioned Winesaps, along with Shinseiki Asian pears and Last Chance peaches.

Jenny Youngblood of Littlerock, in the high desert, brought Fairtime peaches, her last variety of the season, which she’ll have for another week or so. Sherrill Orchards of Arvin sold sweet-tart Wonderful pomegranates and deep purple, intensely flavored pomegranate juice. Polito Family Farms of Valley Center had juicy Valencia oranges, tangy Star Ruby grapefruit and crisp Fuyu persimmons--getting sweet, but not as good as they’ll be in a few weeks.

Luis and Virginia Guevara of Santa Maria set out a checkerboard of raspberries and a beautiful display of vegetables. Culinary Farms of Reseda had good-looking hydroponically grown lettuces and high-quality salad greens, including mesclun, spicy mix and baby arugula.

Cha Her, a Hmong grower from Fresno, offered long beans, lemongrass, snow pea greens and flat, greenish Asian pumpkins along with their greens, of which only the leaves and the succulent ends of the stems are used.

Bill’s Bees sold sage, orange blossom, eucalyptus and buckwheat honeys gathered from the Angeles National Forest, along with a much darker caramelized batch.

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Silver Lake farmers market, Sunset and Griffith Park boulevards, Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon.