Harrys Farmers Market

Farmers Market Pioneers Celebrate 30 Years

By Ann K. Williams
Lookout Staff

August 9, 2011 – The Santa Monica Farmers Market is getting a jump on its five-day 30th birthday bash to be held in September with a panel discussion at the Main Library this Thursday appropriately titled “Celebrating 30 Years.”

Two chefs and two farmers – all farmers market long-timers – will “share their memories, dreams and reflections” after decades of fruitful relationship, Farmers Market Supervisor Laura Avery told The Lookout.

Well-known chefs Mark Peel of Campanile and Josie Le Balch of Josie will join farmers market stalwarts Alex Weiser, “celebrity potato farmer” of Weiser Family Farms, and Molly Gean of Harry's Berries as they swap tales from the good old days.

In this case, that means the 80's and 90's when the sustainable food movement and fine dining were just encountering each other.

They'll talk about “how farming operations are different now than when they started,” Avery said, adding that there's a “really great synergy” between the chefs and the farmers.

Peel was one of the first chefs to recognize what a great asset Santa Monica had in its farmers market, and Le Balch was “a big fan of the market in the late 90's,” said Avery.

As the chefs expressed their needs, the farmers changed their operations and grew new crops, she said.

“They've really grown together,” said Avery.

Now high-end restaurants offer three-course, “farmers market dinners,” and Iron Chef and Top Chef are regular visitors – if relative “newcomers” – at Santa Monica's farmers markets, she said.

Thursday's audience will get to enjoy more than just talk.

Chef Peel will prepare a special farmers' market treat – a surprise (he has to see what's fresh at the Wednesday market) – which will in all likelihood be paired with fresh bread from Campanile, Avery said.

The panel discussion is one of a series of quarterly talks which started five years ago, when the Farmers Markets celebrated their 25th birthday.

“Celebrating 30 Years” will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium at the Main Library at 601 Santa Monica Boulevard. Seating will be available on a first come, first seated basis.

Local Dinner with Justin Balmes, to benefit SafePath Advocacy

On Monday, August 15 from 7-10pm, join SafePath Advocacy and Harry’s Farmers Market Alpharetta for an exciting evening featuring local celebrity chef Justin Balmes from Food Network Star.

Justin will create a three course meal featuring LOCAL and REGIONAL products like Thompson Farm pork, White Oak Pastures Grass-fed beef and Sweetwater Growers herbs and micro greens. The money from this dinner will be donated to a local charity Justin works closely with, SafePath Advocacy of Marietta. Space is limited.

Registration fee $45, email julie.kretzmer@wholefoods.​com to register

“How awesome is this great opportunity to help create a community free of child abuse while watching a great Chef, Justin Balmes, create a three couse meal. Fun, fabulous, fantastic community opportunity to have a great time and make a difference in the lives of children,” sad SafePathy Advocacy.

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