Rolling with the Organic Punches

Growing up in the Midwest, I know a thing or two about picking a good ear of corn at the market; pull the top of the husk back, if the kernels at the top are in tact you’re good.  When pulling back the husks of an ear at Angelo’s Organic Farms stand at the Wellington Square Farmers Market last Sunday for my post-market BBQ I was surprised by the wiggly critter that popped his head out.  “Oh that’s the worm,” Jose said, “You don’t know about the worm?”  He showed me how all the tops of the corn had been eaten by the worm and many of the other ears had occupants as well.  Then Major (a major character of the community) chimed in.  “It’s all good, if that worm’s alive, then I’m alive!”  True statement, in regard to eating organic corn anyway.  Without the use of pesticides this is bound to occur, but it doesn’t make the corn inedible.  Organic farmers have a lot of other pests to deal with as well, aside from worms and Monsanto.  For example, this farm loses entire rows of kale and chard crops to aphids every season, despite organic strategies to ward them off.   So the next time you doubt your consumption of organic produce because you see a bug on your greens or a worm in your corn, shake it off, literally.  A little bug is a huge sign you’re consuming clean, GMO and pesticide-free produce.  Continue to support organic farming and your insides won’t turn into aliens.  See you Sunday!

-Chelsea Mabel 

Farmers Market will be closed Sunday December 29th, reopens on January 5th.

It's been a whirlwind year at the farmers market (just like the previous three years)!  So sad I won't see you before the end of the year but looking forward to your smiling faces on January 5th.

In spite of losing some funding for the market, our community came out and supported our first ever farmers market fundraiser!  We were able to raise enough funds to keep the market running through 2014.  Thank you so much for your help and support volunteers, party attendees, and neighbors!

We also received support from St. Elmo's Village Artist Colony to keep providing musicians at the market on a weekly basis.  If you aren't familiar with St. Elmo's, it's a beautiful organization located on St. Elmo just west of Rimpau.  They have been offering art classes for children and adolescents for 44 years!

On January 5th, we will host a series of different gourmet food trucks along Washington Blvd, just in front of the farmers market.  Kathy found a "food truck broker" who is happy to find just the right mix of breakfast and lunch trucks to bring some new excitement to our farmers market.

Happy New Year all!

Summer is almost here and the market is in full swing

Summer time is the best time of year for our certified farmers market.  The farmers bounty is plentiful the weather is perfect and the lemonade stands seem to multiply.  We have a few new food vendors that have joined us, making stopping by and enjoying the live music more of a regular Sunday activity.  There's the Mudd Duck Cafe that is serving fresh made corn dogs and funnel cakes and Denise Doodles bringing the best snickerdoodle you've ever had.  As far as fresh produce goes, we now have an organic farmer that has some amazing produce you'll have to stop by to check out.  You can find almost any fruit and vegetable grown in the state of California right now at our farmers market.  You can let your kitchen creativity run wild.  Enjoy your summer!

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We'll be open Easter Sunday, even if it's raining!

The rain is a reminder of our first weeks of having the farmers market 3 years ago this month.  We were so excited to start the farmers market, however I had never done anything that required me to be outside every Sunday from about 7am-2pm setting up, running and tearing down a farmers market.  I was a market mananger novice.  It rained for 13 Sunday's that first year!  We became fast believers in our new plastic pants and raincoats, which ripped within the first few months by the way, we've gotten better pants and better raincoats and wear water-proof boots now. 
Over the last 3 years, we've learned that it's a bit slower for our farmers on rainy days, but they truly appreciate those customers who come out in the rain.  There are these 2 ladies who are from back east and whenever it rains they say, "this isn't rain, this is just a little spit, go back east if you want to see some rain!"
We'll be open "rain or shine" is our motto.  It's spring and it's Easter and I'm cooking dinner! I still look forward to eating and serving the freshest produce I can find to my family.  I never regret bringing this good food to our community, it is truly a labor of love! 

Start off the new year by eating right!

Our Wellington Square Certified Farmers Market is the place to get your fresh locally grown produce.  We've been in the neighborhood for going on 3 years, and I am happy to say, everyone seems happier and healthier!  Keep up the good work!   

We will be open the Sunday after Thanksgiving!

I've been on vacation in Ireland where my enthusiasm for farm fresh produce was restored.  Almost everything we ate in Ireland is grown in Ireland and is grown naturally.  The fish we ate was caught right off their shores and local animals are allowed to roam freely before eaten.  We ate and drank very well and the Irish people are delightful.  But it's always good to come home to the greatest country on earth!  We have a bit of work to do on eating better here in the U.S., but we're getting it right, one farmers market at a time. I'm proud of the farmers we've been able to bring together at the Wellington Square Certified Farmers Market, and we have hopes in the future of being able to sell farm raised chicken and beef.  We've been given the go ahead by our sponsor, Smyrna Church, to sell both chicken and beef.  However we've noticed that food vendors that sell meat at other farmers markets are struggling under this economy and it's been a challenge to bring them over to our small market, but we'll keep trying.  Our market has turned out to be economically steady for our farmers and they tell us all the time that we are their favorite market for many reasons.  Thanks for your continued support, and we hope you have a happy Thanksgiving holiday!


We will be closed the final 2 weeks in December for Christmas and New Years. 

Summer is officially here!

It's the best time for warm weather fruits and veggies at our farmers market.  Each week brings some new and exciting foods.  You can never get bored with all the varieties of tomatoes, leafy greens and berries, just to name a few.  The musicians have been consistent (they play for free so sometimes they don't make it) so we have music every single market Sunday.  Join us this week for the musical styling's of Steven Gale, then next week for our first of the month jazz, with the Steve Harris trio.  On that same day, August 5th, some very talented kids will be at the market  selling their arts, crafts and food goodies.  Join in all the fun. 

Market will be closed for 3 weeks starting on Christmas Day.

Yes even farmers want to take a few weeks off for the holidays.  Christmas and New Years both fall on Sunday this year and we'll add one additional week off.  We'll see you back at the market on Sunday, January 15, Martin Luther King Day weekend. 

What's so special about our farmers market?

Well for one, it's smack dab in the middle of LA, and to me, it's the very best part of LA.  Almost every Sunday someone new to the farmers market will come up to me and tell me how great it is to have this market here in our neighborhood.  We're used to being under looked and under served compared to the westside, and to places like Larchmont.  But most of the people who live here live here by choice, we love the houses, the neighbors and our proximity to downtown and to the westside, if we want to go there for a visit.  We live here because we want to live a lifestyle that isn't dictacted by what neighborhood we live in.  We're a little, "we are the world" but for real.  And of course we're lucky to have one of the best selections of farmers at any farmers market.  We're working on getting cut flowers back in the market soon, then I think we won't want to go anywhere else to shop, we can get rid of our cars and ride our bikes to the market.  If you haven't been to our farmers market yet, come join in the fun and let me know what you think.

Kids Arts and Crafts Day July 31st sign up now

Frame those precious works of art, buy some more glue and get your crafts ready to sell at the farmers market on Sunday July 31st.  No fee for kids up to age 18 to sell at the market for Kids Arts and Crafts day.  Just send us an email with your name and what you plan to sell before Wednesday July 27th.  You'll need a table to show your stuff and invite your friends and family to see it too.  It'll be another fun day at the farmers market. 

Get an entire body massage from Teacher John at the farmers market!

"It's like getting your entire body massaged, even the insides" said one market goer last week after he tried the "Ki Energy" massage.  "It's like nothing else, it actually helps you to re-align your body" said another market shopper about the "Ki Energy" massage. 
The farmers are bringing the season's best.  And in a few weeks, Angelo's farm will be bringing organic greens, all sorts of lettuces, kales etc. 

Chef Dana will be cooking at the market this Sunday!

Because of her I throw sliced potatoes on the grill.  Join us for Chef Dana's great grilling ideas for market produce under the new green MINC Pavilion, starting around 11 am.   

Spring is springing up at the farmers market!

Peas, carrots, spring onions all showing up at the market.  Soon Tony will be bringing all sorts of his sweeter than sweet mellons. 

Join us next week (5/22) when chef Dana will return and grill up vegies and fruits from the market, starting @11am. 

Or come by each week for breakfast and Belgian waffles with fresh fruit from the Party Center Lounge.  See you at the farmers market! 

We're open Easter Sunday

We'll be open Easter Sunday and will close at 12noon.  There will be a limited number of vendors that will  include:  Angelo's Farm with eggs and vegies, Manna's Orchards with citrus and apples, the Vang farm with Asian vegies and new vegies for springs and Carol will be bringing her tomatoes.  There will be special goodies hiding in the vegies for the kids. 

Did I mention Pupusas?

Eva is handcrafting vegetarian pupusas at the market starting today.  BTW our anniversary celebration was a blast!  Great music, great prizes and great friends having fun.  Check out the winners of all the prizes in a photo in The Neighborhood News. 

Postponed Market Anniversary Celebration and Bicycle Drawing

Due to the rain today, the Market closed early.  So sorry about the inconvenience.  Please join us next week for the regular Farmers Market.  However, the Anniversary Celebration will take place in two weeks on the 3rd of April.

Thank you all!

Enjoy the rain!

It's almost spring and time to celebrate our first birthday!

The market is turning 1!  It's been quite a joyful year.  Every week we meet first timers to the market who are so happy and appreciative to have such a nice farmers market so close to home.  We want to give a shout out to our vendors who have been here from day one, Agnes and John of Manna Farms, Pachuoa and My from Vang Farms, Cesar the berry and baby lettuces guy,Tony the egg guy, Jacob and Sammy from Mom's specialty foods, Frank the potter and Maison du Pain that brings us fine French pastries.  Thanks for believing in the success of our market and here's to your continued success.  And thank you to all the other vendors who have joined us and are making the market even better:  As always, it wouldn't be a market if our shoppers didn't shop, thanks for joining in the dream of making our community better. 

The Buttermilk Food Truck will be at the market on March 6th!

I saw them on California's Gold with Huell Howser, and I want those red velvet pancakes!  Check out their menu at buttermilktruck.com.  They serve wonderful looking pancakes and other breakfast items.  Come join us at the market on the 6th starting at 9am.  Let's see what the food truck craze is all about. 

Thanks for leaving your pooch outside our gate.

We provide a shaded area and fresh water for your dog if he/she joins you for the market.  Health department rules don't allow pets other than service animals in the farmers market, even if you hold them the whole time.