Meeting:

November 10, 2011

Guest Presenter:

Laura Avery

Santa Monica Farmers Market Manager and host of Good Food’s Market Report on KCRW

Program:

“30 Years of the Santa Monica Farmers Market”

Laura discussed lessons learned from farmers, consumers, legislators and policy makers regarding the importance of locally and sustainably grown food. She has been overseeing the Santa Monica Farmers market since 1982, one year after it opened on July 15, 1981. The City of Santa Monica now operates four weekly farmers markets that serve approximately 20,000 customers and 120 farmers per week. As one of the largest and best-known farmers markets in California, the Wednesday farmers market attracts chefs and produce companies seeking the best tasting fruits and vegetables for their local and national customers. In 1997, Laura was instrumental in piloting a Farmers Market Salad Bar for the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, which serves students at all 16 campuses throughout the school year. She has been named by Los Angeles Magazine as One of LA’s Most Influential People in Food and reports each week from the farmers market for KCRW’s Good Food program. Her three children grew up eating farmer’s market produce, and now her three grandsons are enjoying the same great flavors.