Southland Farmers' Market Association Home Page

Southland provides technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and public agencies interested in developing a farmers' market in their community. For more information about how Southland may help your organization to create a market in your neighborhood, please click on SFMA's Consulting Services. For example, Southland has recently completed feasibility studies for the Cities of Pico Rivera and Compton, as well as the Pacioma Partners organization.

•"Celebrate the Market", the 2008 Santa Monica Farmers' Market Gala Dinner and Auction, was held on Sunday evening, May 18, 2008 at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica. Click here for a photos of this event.

The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market is one of the premier farmers’ markets in the country and has become a second home for the many of Los Angeles’ finest chefs and restaurants who shop at the market. On May 18, 2008, chefs and farmers teamed up to create a unique celebration of the market at a fundraising dinner and auction at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica.

The event, which is open to the public, raised money for The Southland Farmers’ Market Association and honor Chef Josie LeBalch of Josie Restaurant in Santa Monica, CA, and grower John Tenerelli of Tenerelli Family Orchards in Littlerock, CA for their many contributions to the market. Evan Kleiman of Angeli Cafe and host of KCRW’s “Good Food” radio show will be the emcee. In addition, the event recognized the dedicated farmers whose hard work and talents in the art of farming are on vibrant display at the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market every week and Los Angeles chefs whose commitment to using only the finest, fresh ingredients has supported the market for so many years. The Southland Farmers’ Market Association is a nonprofit organization that represents the interest of growers who participate in California certified farmers markets. The event was hosted by The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica under the direction of Ali Kayhan, Director of Catering and Conference Services at 310-899-4128. Event coordination is provided by Sonia Sharma Events.

•"Gourmet on Fire" was held on Saturday, June 14, from 6-9 p.m at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California. Guests tasted delicious grilled fare as they sipped cool libations poolside. A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to the Southland Farmers’ Market Association.

• The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook by Amelia Saltsman makes Top 10 Lists!

P raised by The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, The Boston Globe, and The Snail, The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes, and Stories from the Market and Farm has been included in 2007 Top 10's -- Dutton's Books; Amazon's seasonal cookbooks; Starchefs' Cookbook Wishlist; Orange County Register's Cookbooks for Holiday Gift-giving by Cathy Thomas -- and was a featured selection in KCRW's Cookbook Club.

The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook offers advice on how to shop, stories about farmers and crops, cooking tips from chefs, and over 100 simple, tempting recipes, including Fava Bean and Pea Shoot Salad, Classic Tomato Soup with Goat Cheese Swirl, Roast LEg of Lamb with Black Olives and Herbs, and Meyer Lemon SUndaes. What's the difference between white and green zucchini? What are amaranth, sapote, and ramps? With Amelia as your guide, you'll learn the answers to these questions and many more. No matter where you live, The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook will inspire you to head out to your own farmers' market and discover its treasures.

The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook is available on Amazon.com and at local stores including Barnes & Noble, Cook's Library, Vroman's Bookstore, Little Flower Candy Co., Clementine's, Dutton's Brentwood, Hennessey & Ingalls, Santa Monica Seafood, Village Books Pacific Palisades, and the Little Next Door. If you would like Amelia to visit your farmers' market, contact her at info@blenheimpress.com.

• The California Department of Food and Agriculture Proposes New Regulations for the Certified Farmers' Market Program

CDFA has proposed a series of new regulations for the certified farmers' market program. You can read the offical annoucement by clicking here.

• KNBC Channel 4 TV recently ran a special report on the Santa Monica Farmers' Market's 25th Anniversary Click here to view Part One, Part Two and Part Three of this report.

• How to Start a Farmers' Market Salad Bar Program in Your School District

With the assistance of Southland, the Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District produced a 16 minute video and guidebook on how local school districts can set up a farmers' market salad bar program. You can now watch the video and read the guidebook on this website.

Southland Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Election June 25, 2006.

07.30.06 -- The 2006 Southland Annual Membership Meeting was held on June 25, 2006, at the new Santa Monica Main Library. Pamela Barratt, seen above on the right with Hary Brown-Hiegel in the center and Patricia Orton on the left, was elected along with Ernesto Meave to serve on the Southland Board of Directors. Pamela is the Market Manager of the Kaiser Permanente Fontana Certified Farmers' Market.

Oxnard Certified Farmers' Market Celebrates its 16th Anniversary on June 15, 2006

07.30.06 -- Desire Ventura, Market Manager of the Oxnard Certified Farmers' Market, lead the celebration of the Oxnard Market's 16th Anniversary on June 15, 2006.

...more recent events

At a Southland Farmers' Market, you are assured that you are purchasing quality produce from certified local growers and producers. Southland Farmers' Market Association serves member markets, local California farmers and consumers by promoting and protecting the integrity of certified farmers' markets in Southern California.

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