Written by: Brittany Kleinman
Photos by: Brittany Kleinman
Twenty years in the making, the Wednesday Market in Santa Monica, California is widely recognized as the leading Grower-Only Certified Farmers Market in the state. An estimated nine thousand shoppers come every Wednesday to explore the agricultural treasure chest.
As a California native I have grown up going to the Santa Monica Market and so I decided to go back and speak with a few of the farmers that give this market its true flavor. Walking down the main stretch, I passed award winning goat cheese, fresh artisan breads, organic oranges, and even walnut grilled corn but it was the yellow tent of Holy Guaca-Moly that caught my eye. As I approached, a plump serving of guacamole was handed to me on a bit sized tortilla chip. My taste buds quickly realized why this guacamole has been voted #1 in California for over 8 years.
Every Wednesday for the past 18 years, George Bamber drives two hours each way to set up his shop of Holy Guaca-Moly. George didn’t start out as an Avocado farmer. It began with a few trees in his backyard and the need to pay for his bypass surgery in 1986. Out of compassion, the market manager, Laura Avery granted George a temporary spot at the Santa Monica Market. He’s been there ever since and now pushes 500-600 pounds of avocados in one day.
By his side are three talented individuals that come every week to give Holy Guaca-Moly its sense old-fashioned generosity and personal charm. The team includes the daughter of the women who first taught George how to make guacamole and two dedicated homeless people with a united passion for enriching their community. Currently George looks to expand the general knowledge of the avocado world by writing a book entitled The Perfect Avocado. He explains that in his twenty years of growing the one thing he knows for sure is that, “There is no such avocado, only some that are more perfect than others.”
Holy Guaca-Moly is only one note that gives this market its rhythm. Whether you want to grab a bite, pick up some groceries or say hi to George and his team, stop by every Wednesday from 8:30-1:30 to experience the Santa Monica Farmers Market.
Market Details:
Wednesday Market
Santa Monica, California
on Arizona @ 2nd street
Open: 8:30-1:30, Year round, rain or shine
Originally written for WEJETSET
2 years ago with 1 note
>> AVO Writes >> Holy Guaca-Moly >> interview >> AVO Original >> Santa Monica >> Los Angeles >> California >> farmers market >> United States >> USA >> wejetset >> Wednesday Market >> year round market
Written by: Brittany Kleinman
Photo by: Brittany Kleinman
Last fall, I took a trip to the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City to learn more about one of America’s most successful Farmer’s Market program – organized by The Council on the Environment of NYC (CENYC). They’re dedicated to improving New York City’s environment and have been doing it for over thirty years. CENYC uses markets as a way to enrich the community and provide greener, safer, and stronger neighborhoods. As a result, Greenmarket has become the largest farmers market program in the United States.
From Greenmarket’s website:
“Greenmarket promotes regional agriculture and ensures a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for New Yorkers. Greenmarket has organized and managed open-air farmers markets in NYC since 1976. Greenmarket supports farmers and preserves farmland for the future by providing regional small family farmers with opportunities to sell their fruits, vegetables and other farm products to New Yorkers.”
“Eating locally grown food is nothing new. A hundred years ago, over 95% of Americans lived on farms. City dwellers ate food brought by horse and cart from nearby farms. In the 1800s, Brooklyn was the top producing agricultural county in the US. In the 20th century, farms moved west and many local farms were paved over. By the 1970s, New Yorkers complained of brown lettuce and hard tomatoes while local farms went bankrupt. Greenmarket was a natural solution to a two-fold problem: by selling their homegrown crops in New York City, local farms could stay in business and bring fresh food to city neighborhoods. What began with twelve farmers in an empty lot in 1976 has grown into the largest network of its kind in the country, with rigorous “grow-your-own” standards.”
Originally written for WEJETSET
2 years ago
>> AVO Article >> AVO Original >> AVO Writes >> CENYC >> Greenmarket >> NYC >> USA >> market culture >> new york city >> wejetset >> farmers markets >> farmers market
Written by: Brittany Kleinman
Photo by: Brittany Kleinman
Drifting though residential alleyways topped with laundry canopies, birds tickle your ears with song as you near one of Hong Kong’s greatest marketplaces. The Bird Market is a unique cultural hobby where birds are bought and sold not for their appearance, but for their voice. Typically popular with older men, they gather early in the morning to share their songsters with fellow friends. Much like westerners taking their dogs out for walks, men will promenade with their prized bird around the plaza stopping to exchange stories along the way.
Stretched among 70 stalls, feathered beauties from Australia to East Africa display their rainbow coats and choir-like voices. As you stroll throughout the stalls, ornate bamboo cages hang over your head as porcelain feeding dishes call to your fingertips and live crickets await their destiny. Click Read More for additional information and photos.
Located along Yuen Po Street, the garden was built to replace the old, maze-like Bird Market, which was closed down during the worst Bird Flu outbreaks. Despite the remnants of warning signs at a few market stalls, the government reopened the market when the flu was no longer a threat.
To hear Hong Kong’s songbirds, get off at Prince Edward MTR Station and take exit B1. Walk East along Prince Edwards Road and turn left onto Sai Yee Street. Make a right onto Flower Market Road and walk to the end of the street. The market is typically active from 10am to 6pm.
Originally written for WEJETSET
2 years ago
>> china, >> AVO Original >> AVO Writes >> Hong Kong >> Bird Market >> market culture >> wejetset
