Por JEFF CLEMETSON | Mensajero de La Mesa<\/p>\n
Grossmont Center kicked off its produce-only farmers market on Wednesday, July 24. The market is a collaboration with La Mesa Parks & Recreation Foundation \u2014 which will be receiving all of the vendor fees during the new weekly event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last City Council meeting was overwhelming in support of the not-for-profit market we were thinking about, which is pretty cool, so we decided to turn this market into a not-for-profit market,\u201d said Grossmont Center director of public relations Trevor Moore.<\/p>\n
At the July 23 La Mesa City Council meeting, Grossmont Center proposed moving the Friday farmers market to its location and turn it into a market where all proceeds go to local charities. Council voted to keep the market in the Village [see story on page 1].<\/em><\/p>\n\n The Wednesday market had several produce stands as well as a few boutique food items like homemade teas and herbs, fresh cold press olive oil, local-sourced honey and hot sauces.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a great start to this event and I think it has great parking and access and we\u2019re excited,\u201d said La Mesa Parks and Recreation Foundation president Laurie MacDonald. \u201cThis particular farmers market is about produce and fresh ingredients. With its access, you can come in, get your stuff and go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd all while you\u2019re doing it, you\u2019re supporting La Mesa Parks. All the proceeds go into the parks,\u201d added Misty Thompson, La Mesa Parks & Recreation Foundation executive director.<\/p>\n Partnering on a farmers market goes \u201chand in hand\u201d with a current goal for La Mesa\u2019s parks \u2014 a community garden at MacArthur Park, MacDonald said. When the community garden is finished, La Mesa Parks and Rec Foundation is going to promote the garden during future farmers market.<\/p>\n While the community garden promotions are still a ways off, Grossmont Center is currently promoting its new market with a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree. People who sign up for the market\u2019s email list will be put into a pool where each week, nine names are chosen and assigned an inning. At the following Saturday\u2019s Padre game, if a Padre hits a grand slam in that inning the person with the corresponding inning wins the prize.<\/p>\n The Grossmont Center Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday, 2-6 p.m. in the parking lot by the CVS and Dollar Tree stores.<\/p>\n