May marks the return of the farmers markets in Napa and St. Helena. The market takes place on Fridays in St. Helena, and on Saturdays and Tuesdays in Napa. This year the Napa market is moving to the north parking lot at Copia on First Street where it will be next to the new farm stands of the Oxbow Marketplace. These markets are well worth checking out because the produce is so fresh and it's local, which means precious gasoline hasn't been used to transport long distances from other states and countries. Shopping at farmers markets is a fun way to go green.        

These are only a few of the exciting new options that have opened recently in Napa for home cooks. In January, a huge, state-of-the-art Whole Foods, complete with a demonstration kitchen for classes and a wine tasting bar, opened in north Napa. It's next to the popular Trader Joe's in the Bel Aire shopping center and not far away from a community favorite, Vallerga's, a family-owned grocery store that has been part of the community since the 1940s.  

Either way, whether going out to one of our fabulous restaurants, or staying home to cook a special meal for family or friends, there is no better place to be than our Napa Valley!