Region’s largest farmers’ market venue expands, offers vendor training

Kai Oliver-Kurtin |Downtown News

Just shy of six months after the close of its Kickstarter.com funding campaign, the San Diego Public Market has successfully completed scheduled preparations of its Market Hall, and continues to work on planning and permits to improve the two-acre property.

Currently open Wednesdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market was launched with the goal of eventually operating six days per week, year-round.

The market has begun confirming leases for permanent, full-time shopkeepers, and will soon start the process of constructing those spaces in the Market Hall. They’ll also be expanding into the National Plaza section of the property designed for farmers’ markets and special events.

“We created the San Diego Public Market as a hub for local farmers to shop for and enjoy local food and learn more about feeding healthy families,” said co-founder Catt White. “We want it to be a place where local small businesses can grow.”

Through its constituency with San Diego Weekly Markets, the San Diego Public Market offers classes to interested vendors to help navigate the permit process and other farmers’ market requirements. These Vendor 101 and 102 classes will be extended within the San Diego Public Market to create an ongoing education, mentorship and network for local businesses and new farmers.

The Wednesday and Sunday farmers’ markets will eventually hold 80-90 booths, and the Market Hall and other areas of the property will house approximately 65 additional, permanent vendors.

“We’re excited about celebrating the incredible diversity of San Diego and its food scene as we create a permanent, full-time public market,” White said.

Acquiring the initial project backing through a crowd-funding campaign in August, the market will soon hold its first Taste of the Market event as a Kickstarter.com reward for select backers. Tickets are also available to the public for this event, which will feature local farmers, food purveyors and chefs.

“We were thrilled that 1,379 people pledged financial support to the San Diego Public Market – and perhaps even more than the money –that those people pledged their hearts and minds to the idea of building a local food hub,” said White. “We always thought it was a big, important idea and it was exciting to have the importance of a public market validated by so many other people.”

The online campaign had a goal of $92,244, and in just eight days, surpassed its goal to raise a total of $146,121.

Even though the Kickstarter campaign closed in August, it’s not too late to contribute to this working project. A new program allows supporters to purchase pavers engraved with their name and a personalized message that will be displayed on the walkway through the market.

Mark Steele of MW Steele Architecture (also co-founder Dale Steele’s husband) is currently working on designs to preserve the existing industrial elements of the 92,000 square foot property.

Located in Barrio Logan at 1735 National Ave., the bright orange warehouse held its first market on Sept. 12, 2012.

“Out neighbors in Barrio Logan have been hugely supportive,” White said. “Nearby businesses are joining the Wednesday and Sunday markets, and Downtown residents are shopping alongside fans from all over San Diego County.”

Coming up this month, San Diego Public Market is scheduling chef tours of the market and offering movie nights to the public.

For more information, visit sandiegopublicmarket.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with pertinent news.