Food writer and educator Amelia Saltsman recently published “The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook,” which includes recipes along with tips and insider’s insights. She is also the host of “Fresh from the Farmers’ Market” on local cable and a frequent guest on NPR’s “Good Food.” The Los Angeles native talked to Greenopia about her work and living green in Los Angeles.

How did you get involved in your line of work?

I thrive on a sense of community— that’s how my connection to the farmers’ market began. I began to write about my experiences and the farmers’ stories and the ingredients themselves and then the farmers’ market became a focal point.

Best part of your job?

When a reader or student comes to a demo or class and says, I can do that. We think everything is so hard and we’re reluctant to change habits and we often think we need to have to do everything all at once or it’s not good enough. But you can do a little at a time.

What are some of your favorite local green restaurants?

Wilshire restaurant and Rustic Canyon are the first that come to mind. Both of those chefs get 90 percent of their produce from the farmers' market. There’s also Axe. The truth is there are 50 or 60 chefs who buy from the farmers' market and I can’t name them all! But the important thing to say is that there are many.

Where do you shop for organic groceries?

The answer is the farmers’ market! It’s where I do the bulk of my shopping for things I would use to season my food, meats, fishes, cheese. You can really get most of what you need. I also frequent Santa Monica Seafood, the Beverly Hills Cheese Shop, Whole Foods, and Surfas for when I’m looking for things that to go in my pantry.

What are some of your favorite local green businesses?

My dry cleaner is Cleaner By Nature, where they don’t use perc. Patagonia for fleeces and REI for a lot. Then Pharmaca and Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy.

Is there a particular environmental non-profit you support?

Sustainable Table and I do a lot with the Southland Farmers' Market Association. Also Heal the Bay.

What’s your favorite thing about living in the city? Least favorite?

The thing I like least is the lack of decent public transportation. How great would it be to jump on a train and go from the Santa Monica Pier to a concert Downtown—or anywhere? What do I love the most? Certainly how blessed we are with amazing local ingredients—for a farmer being able to pick and get it to market within 24 hours. I also love the hidden pockets of history in the city. Los Angeles is a magical urban and natural landscape. What other city has a mountain range that runs through the middle of it?

Where do you like to take out-of-town visitors?

I do find beauty in this urbanscape—I think it tells us a lot about who we are and where we’ve come from—and like to go downtown. Also, L.A. Conservancy has walking tours that are the best bargains.

What’s your favorite weekend outdoor activity?

The first is to take a walk at sunset or in early evening along the Palisades Park along Ocean Ave. I adore that it’s almost like in Italy, where everyone comes out and strolls. You’ve got the ocean, plus couples standing at the edge of the bluff looking, families having picnics on the grass, senior citizens playing chess on a table. It’s lovely. The other thing I adore doing is cooking with friends.

What’s your favorite vacation destination?

I love to take driving trips, to see the land, and the first thing is to head up the coast and to see small towns that might have farmers’ markets and just have a sort of low-key time relaxing in another community.

What’s an eco-friendly gift you like to give?

Small food items that are unique to Southern California. For instance, I love to bring freshly dried dates or special citrus—an offering from my area and something that evokes a sense of place.

Do you have a favorite environmental book?

“Omnivore's Dilemma.” I love the way Michael Pollan writes and I think he has the most wonderful way of writing about the issues.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

Blenheim apricot tree. We had one in my backyard when I was a kid and my grandmother would come to visit from Israel and make apricot jam. It’s a beautiful tree with sun-kissed fruit.

Describe your path to green: how and when you became eco-conscious.

Flavor. When you look for foods that taste great naturally, everything falls into place. Once I found farmers’ markets in my local community, I never looked back.