Del Rey residents will soon be able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables in the neighborhood.
The Del Rey Neighborhood Council on Thursday approved establishing a farmers market at on Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m., although the time and day of week could be changed if necessary. Helen Lee, who owns several farmers market throughout Los Angeles, would manage the market.
“I don’t want to turn the park into a farmers market, I want the farmers market to become part of the park,” she said.
Lee said she chose Friday because of the competition from other farmers markets on weekends, and the availability of farmers. But, if necessary, with input from the community, she would move the location and time of the market.
“All my markets, I’ve moved at least once,” Lee said.
Lee, who grew up in Los Feliz, currently runs farmers markets in Los Feliz, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks.
The Del Rey market will be located on the strip of grass between the playground and Glencoe Avenue, and the playground and the dog area will be left unobstructed during market hours. No street parking or sidewalks will be blocked.
“I am a huge supported of the market, and I love the idea that it will be called the Del Rey farmers market,” said Chelsea McFarland, co-founder of a Honey Love, a honeybee conservation organization.
Although some residents were concerned with parking and traffic around the market, most spoke in favor of it.
“I buy a lot of food at farmers markets, it tastes better and lasts a lot longer,” said Frank Sanford, a Del Rey Neighborhood council member. “It also brings the community together.”
While some vendors will sell organic produce, Lee said that it is very difficult to secure an all-organic farmers market. The market could open by mid-July.
