The Fourth of July in Tahoe is an adventure in and of itself. With parades, beach time, beautiful hikes, music, outdoor concerts and plenty of events to choose from — not to mention a ton of fireworks — one might need to think ahead when planning meals. Whether you are throwing together a barbecue, having a picnic on the lake or hosting an evening soiree, it might be wise to consider avoiding the chaos of supermarket lines to ease your Tahoe holiday weekend.
Enjoy homemade sausages and sustainable cuts of meats from Mountain Valley Meats.
If you arrive before the holiday weekend, here are some tips to lighten your load. You can avoid the lines. Make a trip to a local farmers’ market, where you’ll find a bounty of fresh produce, fish, meats, cheeses, condiments, baked goods, desserts and an Indian food vendor with dips and naan if you desire (See Events for local markets). You might be able to feed your friends and family for almost the entire weekend with all these quality choices.
While on the North Shore, check out the Market 28 specialty shop in Tahoe City, the Tahoe Central Market in Kings Beach and the West Shore Market and Deli in Sunnyside. Stop in at the Tahoe Food Hub shop on Alpine Meadows Road for locally grown fresh produce, eggs, dried goods and more. There’s also New Moon Natural Foods in Tahoe City and Truckee. They all sport a beautiful selection of organic products, gourmet items, wine and spirits that you can catch on the run.
Farmers’ markets abound in Tahoe and Truckee and are a good source for fresh, local produce and a good way to avoid the long lines at the grocery stores. | Mael Passanesi
Making your way over to Truckee on Thursday? Be sure to cruise Truckee Thursdays downtown for a number of food vendors that can accommodate larger meals. Look for Truckee Sourdough for all your bread needs, and there is a fabulous pie vendor with a wide variety of homemade pies.
Are you feeding carnivores? The local Truckee butcher at Mountain Valley Meats is fabulous. There are delicious homemade sausages; organic, local and sustainable cuts of meats; and marinades. There is also a wide variety of cheeses, dips, sauces, spreads, condiments and baked goods — this is a one-shop, barbecue bonanza. While in Truckee, be sure to swing by the Coffee Bar Bakery or Wild Cherries to grab your java for the weekend. You won’t be able to resist the delicious display of sweets and crusty breads.
If you are still here on Sunday, make sure to visit the Slow Food Tahoe Truckee farmers’ market to restock, located at the plaza on Donner Pass Road right before the I-80 on ramp. On your way down Donner Pass Road, check out Marty’s Provisions, which just opened next to the Cha Fine Teas, in the historic downtown. Marty’s offers a bevy of to-go items for the picnic life and Cha Fine offers lovely teas for lovely iced teas.
Donner Pines Market located in the Donner Lake area has plenty of items to get you by, with a large selection of beer, wine, cold cuts and the best dill pickles around. It is a great place to hit if you are looking to pick up a few things.
If you must hit a supermarket, consider going as late in the evening as possible. After 10 p.m. is a good time — you will have the store to yourself. If you’re not in the mood to cook, the restaurants in Tahoe are happy to prepare meals for you, but be sure to make your reservations early to get the best seat (including those reservations for fireworks viewing).
Remember to breathe your way around town, be patient on the roads and have a good time. Tahoe is a small-town jewel in the mountains. Enjoy it, lay back, drive slow, take the bike and most of all have fun. Bon appetite.
Priya Hutner is a writer, health and wellness consultant, and natural foods chef. Her business, The Seasoned Sage, focuses on wellness, conscious eating and healthy living. She offers healthy organic meals for her clients. She may be reached at pria78@gmail.com or visit theseasonedsage.com. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com to read more.
