May is a busy month - seasonal markets open in Orinda, Concord and two locations in Martinez, offering you more places to shop during the week (visit cccfm.org for details). Walnut Creek remains a year round market and this Sunday, May 5th enjoy one more hour of market shopping when summer hours go into effect - 9 am to 2 pm.

May is also a month to celebrate - Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day on May 12th and Memorial Day on May 27th. Each celebration deserves great food and the markets offer an open invitation to create wonderful meals out of fresh, in-season produce and specialty foods.

Avocados are synonymous with Cinco de Mayo and great guacamole. Start with avocados from Ruiz or Tapley Farms and add your favorite additions like minced red onions and jalapenos, fresh limes or lemons to squeeze and chopped cilantro and hot house tomatoes from J & J or Bruins Farms.

Make Mom smile with a special meal made with farmers' market ingredients on Mother’s Day. There are scads of choices! Chicks & Love make sweet, savory and breakfast artisanal flatbreads with the organic fruits and vegetables they grow, and eggs from the chickens they raise. Honey for toast and jams to flavor plain yogurt along with granola, dried fruits, fresh strawberries and blueberries are other quick and easy ideas. Great Valley Eggs offers cage free brown or white eggs if you have plans for a frittata, omelet, pancakes or eggs Benedict.

Choose a bag of large prawns or salmon steaks at the From The Sea to You stand to toss on the grill, or a quick stop at Il Pastaio makes for an easy dinner - 6 minute raviolis (Portabella and Shitake mushroom or artichoke are popular) or 4 minute fresh pasta with pesto sauce are perfect partners. Also, try Mara’s gluten free pasta & sauce.

Fresh cut flowers and bouquets from Ruvalcaba Nursery are sure to please Mom. Pick out your favorite varieties and Felipe is always happy to create a beautiful arrangement.

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer and the barbecue season. Fly the flag proudly and dish up some potato or spinach salad, fresh fruit salsa served over a slice of Angel food cake, cherry pie or a glass of old fashioned, fresh squeeze orange juice or lemonade.. the farmers' markets are brimming with fresh produce to make all your Memorial day favorites all summer long.