In the quiet town of Templeton, the central park transforms on Saturday mornings.

When I arrived at Templeton Park on a recent May morning, the blocks around the green space were packed with cars.

Streams of people could be seen walking dogs, herding small children and clutching tote bags filled with flower bouquets and fresh produce.

After nabbing a parking space on a side street, I set out on my mission for the morning: I was at the Templeton Farmers Market to find affordable, locally grown goodies.

A Tribune reader recommended that I check out the farmers market for On a Budget, a new monthly series where Tribune reporters try reader-suggested foods, drinks and activities around San Luis Obispo County on a $25 budget.

Even though it was a dreary day with overcast skies threatening to sprinkle, the dozens of vendors lining the park made me excited to dive into the crowd of market-goers meandering from stall to stall.

Here’s what I got:

What’s for sale at Templeton Farmers Market?

Location: 200 Sixth St., Templeton

The farmers market occurs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday at Templeton Park.

Shoppers with CalFresh EBT cards can use their benefits to buy products.

The market operates alongside a large, grassy public park with public bathrooms and a gazebo at the center.

During my visit, jubilant children ran around a giant playground, while about 10 dogs participated in a puppy training course in a neighboring field.

As I ventured past the various vendors, I spotted a rainbow of fruits and vegetables — strawberries and cherries, oranges and lemons, asparagus and artichokes, blueberries and blackberries. I even glimpsed some of the first stone fruits of the season.

It was abundantly clear that spring produce was in full swing.

It didn’t stop there. The market boasted a slew of snacks and handcrafted goods, including artisan cheeses from Stepladder Ranch and Creamery in Cambria, fresh-baked sourdough loaves from Bread Bike in San Luis Obispo, sweet and savory pie slices from A-Town Humbles Pies in Atascadero and gourmet chocolate bars from Celia Chocolatier in San Luis Obispo.

How I spent my $25 budget

After making a full lap around the stalls, it was time to start making some decisions about how to spend my budget.

I figured I should start by getting some breakfast. I eyed a stand that advertised “world-famous” breads and pastries.

For $4, I got a large mixed berry medley scone from Sasquatch Sourdough in Los Osos. The baked good was the size of my hand and speckled with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

I took my breakfast treat to a nearby park bench where I took a bite of the moist, buttery pastry. It was absolutely delicious — not too crumbly like some scones, and big enough to share with a friend.

I people watched as I nibbled on my pastry and listened to a busker strumming pleasant folk tunes on his acoustic guitar.

After eating my fill, I couldn’t help myself from looking at the stunning flower arrangements for sale at Arroyo Grande-based Campesina Flower Inc.

The stand’s bigger bouquets were outside of my remaining budget, but I was able to afford a bunch of orange calla lilies for $6. While the merchant wrapped the trumpet-shaped flowers in paper, I grew giddy thinking about how perfect they would look on my dining room table.

Afterward, I knew I needed to spend the rest of my budget on some produce for the week ahead.

I grabbed a $6 basket of some beautiful blueberries from U-Pick Blueberries in Santa Maria. Then I hopped over to Perez Family Farm’s stall — with produce grown in Los Osos — where I paid $5 for a pound of sugar snap peas that I planned to throw in some in some salads and pastas.

With only $4 left in my pocket, I approached Rocking Chair Farms — a San Joaquin Valley-based farm stand selling oranges, peaches and nectarines.

All stone fruit was $4 a pound, so I decided to nab as many yellow nectarines as possible without going over my budget. The farmer carefully weighed my fruit and handed me three perfectly ripe nectarines for exactly $4.

Is the farmers market affordable?

After spending exactly $25, I was content with my choices. I had some very tasty fruit and veggies in my bag, a small bouquet of flowers and a sweet treat.

Besides my goodies, I had fun wandering around the market featuring more than 30 vendors, ranging from fishmongers and butchers to local craftsmen and farmers.

It was a great way to spend a weekend morning out in the community, all while collecting delicious things to eat.

When are SLO County farmers markets open?

San Luis Obispo County is home to more than a dozen farmers markets. Here’s when and where they operate:

Arroyo Grande

8:30 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays at 1464 East Grand Ave.
Noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays at 214 East Branch St.

Atascadero

3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at 6505 El Camino Real

Avila Beach

4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays between Avila Promenade and Front Street

Baywood/Los Osos

2 to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays at Santa Maria Street between Second and Third Street

Cambria

2:30 to 5:30pm on Fridays at 1000 Main St.

Cayucos (opens June 7)

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays at 10 Cayucos Drive

Morro Bay

2 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays at 2650 Main St.
2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays between Main Street and Morro Bay Boulevard

Paso Robles

9 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays between 11th Street and Spring Street
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays between 11th Street and Spring Street

San Luis Obispo

2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at 224 Tank Farm Road
6 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays on Higuera Street
8 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturdays at 325 Madonna Road

Templeton

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays at 200 6th St.

Where should I go next?

Have any ideas on where I should visit next in SLO County on a budget?

Send me recommendations at hpoukish@thetribunenews.com or by filling out the form below.

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