Fresh fruit, beautiful plants and great bargains? I visited the Galt Flea Market
Near the Galt-Marian Lawrence Library off Caroline Avenue dozens of families make their way behind a wired fence toward lively music and an array of tents.
The Galt Flea Market, at 610 Chabolla Ave. in Galt, is filled with hundreds of vendors from all over California selling everything from fresh produce to cowboy boots and hot meals including tamales and Chinese cuisine.
A Sacramento Bee reader recommended that I check out the Galt Market as part of The Bee’s On A Budget series, which helps readers find fun and affordable ways to connect to the community.
What is the Galt Market like?
I visited Galt’s market on a cool Tuesday morning. The expansive outdoor market is held at the old Sacramento County Fairgrounds and covers several acres with more than 400 vendors.
Every vendor in the market was kind, outgoing and helpful. And each had their own story of developing and building their individual businesses.
In the heart of the market, several women laughed and served customers various treats from beneath a large pink tent.
Kennya Lopez, one of the women under the tent, said her mother owns the business and loves the opportunity to talk and meet with the many people who come to the market.
Casa de Cake has been operating for 28 years. The snack and sweet stand serves horchata, agua frescas, chips, Mexican hot drinks like cookie atole and many other foods.
For Lopez, she said many small businesses have seen lower revenue in the last year. She said supportive customers have become more valuable than ever.
“It’s always very important to support small businesses and local businesses especially right now since it’s a very slow season for everybody,” said Lopez.
According to the city’s website, Tuesday is the day wholesalers and retailers from across the state come to sell their merchandise providing patrons with “highly competitive” prices. The Tuesday market also offers a limited “garage sale row” for what the city called “the treasure hunter in the group.”
The market is also open Wednesdays, focused more on produce and the flea market.
Parking at the Galt market was all about timing. The market was surrounded by plenty of parking lots and street parking. However, Galt’s city website says that lots are generally full by 8:30 a.m. and remote lots are frequently full by 9:30 a.m.
The market provides free carry-out services for loading zones and cars parked in the three lots immediately surrounding the grounds. It is open on both Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., though the city’s website cautions, shoppers should visit early “for the best selection.”
What I got for $25 at this historic market
I spent a total of $22 before tip and tax at the Galt Market.
For $6, I bought a pink polka dot plant at Mary’s Succulent Garden. Owner Mary Hernandez walked me through the care of the plant and shared her passion.
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For $2, I bought a 2-pound container of strawberries from Garcia Produce. The produce business was packed with oranges, lemons, mandarins, pineapples and berries of all kinds. I talked with Felipa Garcia, the owner, who said she began selling produce about 20 years ago. Garcia sells produce at the Galt market twice a week and travels to other markets as well.
For $5, I bought 6 pounds of candy mandarins from Bargain Produce. The owner, Cesar Jacobo, said he brings produce fresh from Fresno.
“We’ve been here for 10 years now, and we’re going strong,” Jacobo said. “We’re doing our best to stay local.”
For $7, I got a small raspado, a Mexican shaved ice dessert, that was packed with mango, chamoy, lime juice and Tajin.
For $2, I bought a small succulent from Nurseria de Matilde’s owner and namesake, Matilde Cruz Gonzalez. She was there with her young son with a wide variety of plants ranging from long draping pathos to ready to plant herbs.
Though I did stop my purchasing at Matilde’s, there were plenty of other foods or products to buy for under $3. But at the time, I could not carry much more.
Is the Galt Market affordable?
Yes, it is and may just be the most affordable market I have ever visited.
Prices for produce ranged from 99 cents to $5 with each produce business offering their own special deals.
Apparel including hats, shirts, pants, shoes and jackets ranged from $5 sweaters to about $75 cowboy boots.
For a wide variety of garden herbs, chili peppers, houseplants and succulents, prices ranged from $3 to about $20.
Finally, prices for hot food range from $2 to $13. Vendors sold everything from $5 wood fire pizzas to $13 combo plates from Mexican meals to Chinese food and more.
The Galt Market isn’t just incredibly affordable, but gives patrons a chance to visit some of Sacramento-area’s local long-running businesses — and the hardworking people who run them.
