Come Celebrate on August 3 as Mar Vista Farmers' Market Turns 8

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) July 24, 2014

Mar Vista Farmers’ Market celebrates its eighth birthday on Sunday, August 3, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and all are invited to join the festivities. First launched in August 2006, the farmers’ market has grown from just a handful of farmers and food vendors to a weekly event with over 50 farmers offering fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, and other foodstuffs; 35 purveyors of tasty foods; and special events, activities for kids and dog-sitting.

As a thank you for the community’s ongoing support, this year’s birthday celebration promises to be better than ever. Back by popular demand, Paul and Kendra Kolling travel from Sonoma County with their flavorful wares. Paul’s company, Nana Mae Organics, showcases organic Gravenstein apples from Sebastopol – the Gravenstein capital of the world – when the delectable fruits with a very short season will be at their peak.

Paul has also recently launched Specific Gravity Cider Company with two friends who share a commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability from farm to glass. Their natural hard cider is made from certified-organic, heirloom Gravenstein apples from Sonoma County that are hand-selected at the height of freshness. Pre-orders for the 2014 vintage can be made now at http://www.specificgravitycider.com for delivery to buyers at the August 3 event.

Native to Denmark and discovered as a chance seedling in 1669, the Gravenstein was first planted in Sonoma County in 1811 by Russian trappers. With a short and early season, it ripens in late July, making it one of the first apples in North America ready for market. The squat, irregularly-shaped apple has a very short stem and comes in a variety of colors, usually with a greenish-yellow background with broad red stripes. Known for its all-purpose versatility for eating, cooking, and cider, the Gravenstein has a crisp, juicy texture and a flavor that is aromatic and full of old-fashioned, sweet and tart flavor. Grown in only a few countries worldwide, Gravenstein apples in the U.S. are found predominately in the Sonoma County town of Sebastopol. In 2005, Slow Food USA declared these apples to be a heritage food.

The August 3 event also showcases Kendra Kolling’s company, The Farmer’s Wife. Her artisan grilled cheese sandwiches using local Marin and Sonoma County farmstead cheeses consistently receive rave reviews. These savory treats were voted “Best Sandwich in Sonoma County” in 2014, 2013, and 2012 by Bite-Club ‘Wich Hunt, Sando Competition.

Besides these highlighted guests, the birthday celebration features much more to enjoy. Activities include Country Fair fun, including an egg toss, corn-shucking contest, and a seed-spitting contest – and all ages are welcome to try their best. A favorite from past years is the Pie-Baking Contest, and all bakers are invited to enter a summer fruit pie using farmers’ market ingredients. Pies will be judged on taste, presentation, and flakiness of crust. Prizes include gift certificates of $100, $50, and $25 at Mar Vista Farmers’ Market. To enter, bakers should bring their pies in a disposable 9” pie time by 10 a.m. to the Pie Booth (on Pacific, next to the knife sharpener).

Throughout the day, there’s great music by CALICO with Ted Russell Kamp. CALICO hails from Los Angeles where three wayfaring strangers made their first acquaintance in the rugged canyon valley. Kirsten Proffit, Manda Mosher, and Aubrey Richmond combine influences of old, threaded with sounds of California Country. It’s a blend of three-part female harmony set to the backdrop of acoustic guitar, mandolin, resonator, violin, and vibe-y electrics. Formed in 2012, CALICO the band is a singer/songwriter super group whose extensive touring earned them National Touring Artist of the Year from the Los Angeles Music Awards in 2013.

ABOUT MAR VISTA FARMERS’ MARKET:

Located 3826 Grand View at Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles, Mar Vista Farmers’ Market is open rain or shine on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., except major holidays.

Mar Vista Farmers’ Market is a neighborhood Certified Farmers Market – selling direct to consumers fruits, flowers, and veggies in their freshest, ripest form, straight from California family farms. In addition, there is a wide selection of prepared foods at the market; all vendor stalls are family owned and bring a personal touch to their delicious multi-cultural offerings. For children, there’s a complimentary craft workshop each week, with face painting the last Sunday of the month when Farm Style Cooking for Kids also takes place. A free dog-sitting service is provided for canine visitors. All enjoy music by resident DJs, featuring an eclectic play list that melds rural and urban, past and present.

The first Mar Vista Market took place August 6, 2006. In a short time, it met its goal of bringing fresh, direct-marketed produce from California farmers to the community. Sundays are a bustling example of Mar Vistans coming out to shop, eat, and visit with their neighbors. The farmers’ market helps achieve broader social impacts as well, such as community development, better health and nutrition, and preserving family farms.

For more information or photos, please contact:

Diana Rodgers, Manager
Mar Vista Farmers’ Market
3826 Grand View Blvd. (at Venice Blvd.)
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-861-4444

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