by TImothy Rutt
Ever since the demise of the Altadena Underground Farmer's Market, local foodies have been waiting for another opportunity to enjoy home-baked and handmade goods and other items from their neighbors.
They'll get that chance on Sun., Jan. 29, when the Eat Well Market opens up at Camp Mariposa (the Girl Scout camp at 615 E. Mariposa St., the corner of Mariposa and Santa Rosa Ave). The market will be open from noon to 3 PM.
Organizer Aimee Silver promises that "almost everything is organic or better." Among the items from the twenty vendors lined up:
- Artisanal breads
- Handmade entrees for vegetarians, carnivores, and anyone who likes to eat
- Traditionally cultured and fermented foods, such as kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, and more
- Backyard fruits and veggies from local gardeners
- Specialty jams and preserves
- Grass-fed meat, and pasture-raised chicken
- Fresh produce from organic, biodynamic, and “high brix” farms
- Healing foods including Ayurvedic, Vegan, WAPF, Raw, Gluten-Free, and more!
- Desserts: chocolate, cookies, etc.
It's "underground" because, in order to allow home-prepared foods to be sold, it's a private club (altho' membership is free and open to everyone without cost). Memberships will be available onsite or online here.
There's also a story behind it. Silver is still recovering from a serious illness that knocked her flat for a long time,. While she was recuperating, she said, she grew tired of "sitting on the sidelines of life." So she came to the conclusion that "it's nice to receive, but it's really nice to do something for people.". The farmer's market is her way of giving back.
But she's looking for more than just selling food: since 80 percent of the offerings are prepared food, she's encouraging people to stick around and eat the food they buy on the picnic tables.
"For me what was important was celebrating life," Silver said, "and what was important to me was friends, community, breaking bread, the pleasures of the table.
"Bring a friend, bring a reusable shopping bag, we're trying to be pretty low waste as much as we can. For me, the driving force behind it is to be a really nice community event."
Silver says she plans to open the market every month on a Saturday or Sunday, depending on the Girl Scouts' schedule.
What: Eat Well Market
Where: Camp Mariposa, 615 E. Mariposa St.
When: Sun., Jan. 29, noon-3 PM.
More information: eatwellmarket.com
