California has always been a leader in supporting healthy lifestyles. The Farm-to-Table Movement is no exception. The southern California sunshine and mild temperatures support ideal growing conditions. An abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products are easily found in Santa Monica’s farmers markets. For those residents who wish to try their hand at growing their own, but do not have the space, the city supports a strong community garden program.
Farmers Markets
The Santa Monica Certified Farmers Market, established in 1981, coordinates three days of farmers markets each week. The Wednesday downtown market is one of the biggest and most diverse grower-only markets in the country. Chefs from the best Los Angeles restaurants buy at this market, customizing their menus based on the market’s offerings.
On Saturdays, there are two farmers markets, downtown and Pico. Unique to the Pico farmers market and in partnership with the non-profit Center For Community and Family Services are free cooking classes for the neighborhood’s residents and, in particular, it’s youth.
The Organic Foods Act of 1990 was responsible for setting national standards for organic food production. A grower must meet these standards to be certified to call their product ‘organic’. The Saturday downtown farmers market’s mission is to meet the public’s demand for fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
The Sunday market, held in Hermitage Square, has taken on the atmosphere of a street festival. In addition to the wide array of agricultural products, there are local artists selling their wares, food vendors, live music and kid’s activities (i.e. face painting).
Community Gardens
The community and cultural services department of the City of Santa Monica administers three community gardens, one on Main Street, one on Park Drive, and one in Euclid Park. For a small annual fee, residents can lease a garden plot in one of the community gardens. Plots are a minimum of 100 square feet.
The city maintains the infrastructure, provides water, collects refuse, and conducts inspections. The gardener has to provide his own tools, supplies and physical labor.
The city also provides another service, the garden-sharing program. This program helps connect landowners to area gardeners that have no land. The gardeners do the work and, together, they share the crop.
Santa Monica is one of the healthiest cities in the country. Its efforts to support a healthy lifestyle make it an exciting and delicious place to live. Even luxury condos in Santa Monica support this healthy eating movement by providing state-of-the-art gourmet kitchens.
If you are looking for luxury condos in Santa Monica, contact the Waverly Condominium.
