Church bake sales sure have come a long way. At New Taste Marketplace—a community market and fundraiser for The Food Pantry and St. Gregory Nyssa Episcopal Church that launched at the end of the year—cookies, pies, and muffins of yore have been replaced by bahn mi burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, fried pickles, and bacon crack, to name a few. The marketplace is held monthly inside the colorful Episcopal church in Potrero Hill and is much like the underground markets that have sprung up over the past year (think small-scale handmade foodstuffs, artfully displayed).

Pork was definitely the star of the show. In addition to the banh mi burgers (with lemongrass pork belly and house made chicken liver pate) and pulled pork sandwiches sauced with mole, Mission GastroClub dished up pork belly tacos and Sataysfied fired pork satays on the grill. Also making a strong showing were grilled cheese sandwiches and all things pickled: cukes, carrots, grapes … even eggs. (They were good.)

For the less adventurous—or less gluttonous—eater, there were plenty of lighter and take-home options: granola, pasta, jams, and vegetable spreads. Tutmak Coffee was on hand to keep the crowd nice and caffeinated. A crowd of over 200, though it never felt overwhelmingly crowded. There was plenty of space to eat and even a back patio to enjoy what ended up being a rare sunny day.

In addition to being a lovely way to spend a Saturday, the marketplace raised over $800 for The Food Pantry, making it well worth the jaunt to Potrero. The next marketplace is scheduled for Saturday, February 5, from 4-9pm. The vendor list is to be announced. Tip: Go on an empty stomach.

(image by Sonya Yu)