The Local

Jan ’08: They’re now on Sproul, hours are the same.
Original review:
«The Local» is a seldom-​used name for the student-​run organic produce stand on Wednesdays by the fountain at Bancroft & College (not to be confused with the less interesting Cal Dining-​run stand on Sproul). They buy from farmers’ markets around town, and sell at wholesale prices. So you get quality almost as good as Monterey Market organics and better than Berkeley Bowl organics (Whole Foods isn’t even in the frame), at generally lower prices than either of those places, though their range is much smaller. While most student groups exist as excuses for drinking (you need an excuse?), these guys are saving the world through crazy deliciousness, and affordable crazy deliciousness at that.
If you’re very picky, you might want to stick to less perishable items. Example: I bought a zucchini here which was as good as any I’ve had from the farmers’ market. Sometimes they have hard-​to-​find items, too. A couple of weeks ago they had squash blossoms — they were sticking a little bit but were still stuffable. Apparently last week they even had holy basil, though I didn’t get there in time.
They’re out there every Wednesday, 11 to 3 or later. I can’t give these guys enough props.