About 15 different vendors launched the new DTLA Historic Core Farmers Market (Photo: Alan J House)
A new farmers market for Downtown LA’s Historic Core began its first day of business yesterday on Sunday from 9am to 1pm. Held on 5th Street between Broadway and Spring (closed to traffic), about 15 different vendors lined both sides of the street selling most of the things you would expect at a farmers market, such as fruits, vegetables, honey, flowers, and other prepared foods. There was even an organic produce section.
According to Blair Besten, the Executive Director of the Historic BID – the non-profit that pushed hard for the new farmers market to happen in the Historic Core — “Initial estimates are into the thousands of attendees…no tally yet on sales but we exceeded expectations!”
Although the new farmers market in the Historic Core had a modest presence of vendors on its first day, Besten reminds us all, and especially the potential critics, that “it is helpful to remember that the Hollywood Farmers Market opened with 14 growers, and is today the largest market in Southern California.”
With over 150 vendors, the caliber and variety of products offered at the Hollywood Farmers Market is definitely something I want Downtown LA’s Historic Core to aspire to. Today, Hollywood Farmers Market sells “a variety of fresh California-grown fruits and vegetables, and other wares such as honey, fish, free-range poultry & eggs, meats, cheeses, olives, mushrooms, jams, jellies, fruit juices, sauces, dried fruit and nuts, espresso, ethnic foods prepared on premises, hot pancakes, bread, biscuits, clothes, jewelry, gifts and more.”
Besten said it best: “It’s one thing to bring it here…it’s up to all of us to keep it here.”
Thank you to downtown resident Alan J House for taking these pictures.
Organic produce (Photo: Alan J House)
Downtown residents came out to shop at the new farmers market (Photo: Alan J House)
Live music added to the festive ambiance (Photo: Alan J House)
A variety of fresh produce (Photo: Alan J House)
Tomatoes and bell peppers (Photo: Alan J House)
Berries galore (Photo: Alan J House)
Packaged goods (Photo: Alan J House)
Of course every farmers market has to have honey (Photo: Alan J House)
Flowers
And more flowers
What a thrill to see the good turnout – on both the vendors & residents behalf. I spoke with one vendor who came all the way from Nipomo – over 3 hours away! So glad we made it worth their while. I hope to see this Farmer’s Market grow with time.
Darn I missed this. Will definitely be at the next one!
I went! I so happy to have a street corner that is normally dirty and a bit scary taken over by free-range eggs and organic produce instead. I’ll go back next week too. I posted a few shots of the market over [here](http://searchforjstreet.blogspot.com/2012/07/weekend-farmers-market.html).
I found out about it through your blog and went with my girlfriend this past Sunday. We bought lots of greens and immediately stir fried it that night for dinner. And it was fresh and delicious! Anyway, I really liked how this Farmer’s Market made the Historic Core feel so alive, on a normally sleepy Sunday in DT. I think it’ll just get better over time, so we’ll definitely be back.
Thanks for sharing, Brigham!
I went to this first event (missed this past Sunday’s) and it’s great!!! Very fresh produce and friendly sellers. It’s still not completely full, so there’s more to come! I found a seller with very very sweet organic raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. YUM!
Wow! I wish I were still in LA! I miss DTLA and all the great changes going on there. I would love to see some unique traditions starting at this farmer’s market like maybe an “open mic” thing or even tap into some of DTLA’s little gems like Garrett Morris’ Downtown Comedy Club at 114 W. 5th Street for some fresh “family friendly” humor! Come on DTLA take advantage of all the things that are available to you! Man I miss DTLA!
Great job Mr. Yen!