Farmers’ Market brings Westwood Village together

It’s another Thursday afternoon in Westwood Village and
the vibrant sounds and colors of the Farmers’ Market hold
sway along Weyburn Avenue.

A 1920s-style, French-inflected jazz combo plays Django
Reinhardt/Stephan Grapelli riffs to a shaded food court as shoppers
take in the bustling, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Enticing aromas of
Greek, Korean and deep South fare mingle with the sweet, earthy
smell of sun-baked peaches, melons and herbs. One feels they could
be in one of Europe or Asia’s great markets but, indeed, this
vital scene is being played out right here in our very own Westwood
Village.

A few weeks ago, a bee hive in the construction zone on Weyburn
Avenue was agitated, and hundreds of bees were terrorizing
people.

The problem had to be dealt with quickly.

The management of the Farmers’ Market approached Signiore
Don Potto, the Honey Pacifica vendor, and asked if he could
help.

He said, “Of course, I work with bees.”

The 72-year-old beekeeper and longtime honey vendor promptly
walked right into the swarm of bees, and put the hive in a bag.
Problem solved.

This is the kind of scene that can only happen at the Westwood
Village Farmers’ Market, where city meets country, academia
meets business ““ a communal space where various elements of
the Westwood community come to together to rub shoulders and pick
among the greatest variety of the most wholesome food available on
the planet.

In its 11th year, the non-profit Westwood Village Certified
Farmers’ Market continues to evolve with the times.

The original intention of the market’s two founders, both
UCLA alumni, remains the priority: to provide locals with a
communal social space and convenient source of affordable food of
the highest quality.

Each week, local homeowners, UCLA employees and students,
Wilshire Boulevard professionals, Village workers and visitors from
far and wide continue to jostle with one another for the best seats
and the freshest picks of the day.

Behind the heart-warming facade of this urban idyll, though,
challenges must be overcome.

From increasingly strict regulations from the health,
agriculture and fire departments to large developers wanting the
market to re-locate outside of the Village and L.A. City Council
members campaigning for onerous street-use fees, the picturesque
tranquility of the Thursday event belies the storm that all too
often swirls behind the scene.

Thankfully, with the support from vocal market patrons, the
market management has been able to work out a plan for peaceful
co-existence with the local businesses and developers.

Now there are fears by some that new dormitories being built on
campus could reduce the number of students shopping at Village
businesses. With more students partaking of dorm food, and UCLA
providing an ever-increasing variety of affordable goods and
services, the theory is that fewer members of the university
community will be inclined to venture into the Village.

As far as the Farmers’ Market is concerned, though, the
greater the number of students who reside on campus, as opposed to
commuting, the greater the chances are that they will come to see
the Village as their very own neighborhood.

Over time, these students will see Village businesses as a
compliment to what is available on campus.

The allure of strolling and shopping in the Village, one of Los
Angeles’ historic pedestrian areas, will likely remain an
enticing attraction for students, residents, workers and visitors
alike.

Furthermore, the market remains a source of information about
cultural and social events.

On any given week, you can find out information about
what’s going on at the UCLA Hammer Museum, the Geffen
Playhouse and the Los Angeles Police Department community
relations.

We have also been working with various student groups on issues
of sustainability and food security.

The Farmers’ Market holds community meetings four times a
year, attended by property owners, business people, city council
representatives and local residents, among others.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at noon
upstairs at Jerry’s Deli. All are welcome to contribute their
input.

Beyond providing fresh produce and food, the community and
Farmers’ Market has spawned the reinvigoration of a
Westwood-based university and resident-oriented forum for people to
voice their concerns about the present and future state of the
Village.

Shapiro is the manager of the Farmers’
Market.