Erica's Picks: Studio City Farmers Market

Every Sunday, the who's who of the Valley hit the Studio City Farmers Market. Lately, even the paparazzi have found it big enough to stake out. But the real stars here are the local artisans and farmers offering everything from organically raised chicken to artisan breads, gorgeous fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, exotic mushrooms and more. The vendors are knowledgeable and excited about their offerings, which they should be considering the sheer volume of this market overtaking Ventura Place. Plus, it's a great place for kids complete with pony rides, petting zoo, train ride and a bouncy slide.

Did I mention that a portion of each dollar that you spend at the Market is donated to a local charity, civic group, school or government organization? And according their website, this year's Studio City Farmers Market Charity of the Year is the Turning Pages Foundation, an organization founded by three local teachers in an effort to fill the holes in summer and after school programs left by severe cuts in public school funding. So buy your fruit and do some good!

The Studio City Farmer's Market is open on Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm. Rain or shine. Parking is available at CBS Studios located on Radford Avenue and in the Chase Bank parking lot.