Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Altadena Urban Farmers' Market

Altadena Urban Farmers' Market just keeps getting better and better.  It is not your usual farmers' market or street fair.   In fact, it's not your usual anything.

Sunday's market was the best yet.   About 30 local vendors came -- all offering homemade local food and goods.  Then there were the goats (including two babies), chickens and historic venue.  On top of that, there was the Farmers' Market University offering lessons in making cheese, bread and home cleaners.  And there were a lot of people.   

I thought my photo of the crowd was pretty good -- that is until I saw Petrea's artistry at Pasadena Daily Photo.  Of course, she found a mother and daughter strolling under an archway.   It was good to see her and John at the market.  Actually, I saw a lot of folks I knew.   The market is is taking on a bit of a Main Street flavor where you encounter not only local produce and goods, but bump into friends as well. 

We were there with Marcia's homegrown enterprise,  HomeBody Botanicals - offering herbal body products she makes with local and organic ingredients.    She was non-stop busy for all of the three-hour market and is seeing repeat customers, which is gratifying.

This little market that started just last October has quickly become a hit.  As you walk the market, you get the sense that there is a pent-up desire for this kind of thing.  Yes, folks are discovering something new.  But maybe it is more. Maybe they're finding something that was long ago misplaced.    

The market is certainly part of the trend toward localism.   Altadena shop owner Lori Webster talked about this recently in her excellent blog.  She's on the front lines of retailing and observes that the trend toward localism is "huge and growing."   May the trend continue.

10 comments:

Petrea Burchard said...

Aren't you nice? Thank you, Michael.

People have "gone to market" for thousands of years. It's where we meet and share our lives. The Altadena Urban Farmers Market gets at something in our common psyche. It's a natural.

Bellis said...

I missed you, Michael, probably because I don't know what you look like. Not only does Petrea take great photos, she writes thoughtful comments that I just can't match.

Petrea Burchard said...

I would comment on your comment, Bellis, but I can't equal its generosity.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I clicked on your PDP photo link and all I got was a naked boxer with a nasty look staring at me.

Otherwise, you covered this story very well.

Petrea Burchard said...

Cafe, you crack me up.

Michael Coppess said...

Great comment CP. You know, that boxer's nasty look was because you didn't go to the market.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I like to enjoy my sleep on my daze off, but I will hike north into the strange land of the Altadena soon! Btw, I will do a few more of my b4/after pics.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Ha! It's a small world. I enlarged your photo to discover someone I know. Thats Robert Es-Pa_n0_za in the red t-shirt at right. If you go to my May 28 "Here is There" post you'll discover the video featuring his now empty studio.

Steve Scauzillo said...

Michael, check it out:
http://templecitydailyphoto.blogspot.com/2011/06/alta-goat.html

Michael Coppess said...

Hi Steve: The link is to a great little (baby) goat photo. Thanks!