![\"brianwebtop\"](\"https:\/\/missionvalleynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/brianwebtop.jpg\")
<\/a>Debbie Lou, who moved to Serra Mesa in 2012, conceived the idea for starting a farmers market to address the community\u2019s frustration with not having any nearby grocery stores. Lou formed the Wholesome Neighborhood Project, a nonprofit consisting of Astrid Brown, Gloria Roma, Terri Strait and Diana Wendel, that raised more than $11,000 via the online crowdfunding site Kickstarter and nearly $2,000 via check donations for the market\u2019s start-up fund. Market on the Mesa was selected by Kickstarter as a \u201cProject We Love\u201d \u2014 a special designation Kickstarter staff gives to projects they are especially\u00a0enthusiastic about.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only will we finally have a place to buy fresh produce within Serra Mesa, a community that sadly fits the definition of a food desert, I also envision the farmers market to be a fun and social gathering place where neighbors can strengthen and build new bonds,\u201d Lou said in a press statement. \u201cWe are immensely grateful for the help and contributions from so many Serra Mesa residents and are especially thankful for the support and sponsorship of the Serra Mesa Community Council, the Afghan Community Islamic Center, the Serra Mesa Recreation Council and Gethsemane Church.\u201d<\/p>\n
Market on the Mesa is contracting with Brian Beevers of Brian\u2019s Farmers Markets to operate and manage the market. Beevers said he is excited to work with Serra Mesa because it is a tight-knit community that showed it was willing to support a market through the donations it raised.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people who put on markets won\u2019t go into a community of that size,\u201d he said, adding that the space in Serra Mesa is smaller than a lot of markets with room for only 15 to 20 vendors, maybe up to 25. \u201cSo I asked them to show me community support by raising $10,000 and they exceeded that.\u201d<\/p>\n Starting a farmers market is only half the battle. To keep the market going after it has lost its \u201cnewness\u201d is the most important thing, Beevers said. \u201cIt takes a commitment from the community to keep it going,\u201d he said. \u201cThey have to return week to week to buy their produce.\u201d<\/p>\n Market on the Mesa\u2019s initial offerings included a mix of vendors offering a variety of items including organic and conventional produce, eggs, honey, hot prepared food, fresh-roasted coffee, hummus and pita, kombucha, mushroom products, decorative succulents, and local arts and crafts.<\/p>\n Beevers\u2019 markets also offer memberships to an innovative CSA (community supported agriculture) program where you can\u00a0sign up to get a fresh box of locally grown, pesticide- and herbicide-free produce each week.<\/p>\n For updates and more information about Market on the Mesa, visit facebook.com\/serramesafarmersmarket<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>