Farmers' Market Officially Returns to LV
Plus: Farmers' Market Overview, Vendor Focus parts 1 and 2, More Vendor News, Spotlight on Maya Vargas, Upcoming Community Events, and LV News Briefs
Editor’s note: In anticipation of today’s Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market official opening/ribbon cutting ceremony, we have focused most of this newsletter’s content on Farmers’ Market news. Our articles feature general news of what to expect at the Farmers’ Market, specific information about certain vendors, and an article on one of the founding board members of the Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market non-profit organization. We hope to see many of our readers at today’s Farmers’ Market event, and in the weeks to come.
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The day has finally arrived! After four soft openings, the grand opening of the Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market is happening today and the ribbon cutting will take place at 1:30pm. The Farmers Market will be held today and every Thursday afternoon in the parking lot of the Linda Vista Plaza Shopping Center.
We at the Linda Vista Update have highlighted one vendor each week since week 1, and we have watched the market grow and improve over that time. The President of the Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market (and co-founder) Jonathan Widener, after all his hard work and that of the board and sponsors, is excited to showcase what they have created at this great Grand Opening. Among the dignitaries at the ribbon cutting ceremony will be District 7 City Councilmember Raul Campillo, who will present a proclamation naming June 2 as Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market Day. Other representatives will be there from State Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber’s office (District 79) and the Mayor’s office.
The vendor list has grown and will continue to grow, but currently includes Big Al’s Baking Co.(cookies), Rollin’ Roots and Veggie Gang (soul food vegan style), Gabinas Cuisine & Catering Service (Filipino food), Twisted Trolley Traveling Treats (soft serve ice cream), Finest City Kettlecorn and Sweet Treats, Alebrijes Hot Dogs, Roasted Peanuts and Agua Fresca, Sweet Cravings by Paula (Fried Chicken and Catfish), Antojitos Mexicano, Xita I’ini Sabor Mixteca, Argos Baking Company (bread and cinnamon buns), and more to come.
Among certified farmers, you will see Antonio Ferros Farmers Nursery, Pappas Garden, Mostly Microgreens, Luchia Lokonyen Farm, Bernardino Loera Farms, and Hernandez Bros (HB) Family Farms.
Other vendors include Artesania con Estilo, Daisy’s Gift Shop, Casa Linda Dulceria y Mas, Vincente Sandoval Jewelry, Patricia’s Boutique, Chic and Modest, Vietnamese Woodwork, Saints Reserve Clothing, Celtic Kitten, with more to come.
Linda Vista has not had its Farmers’ Market for two years, and as explained by Jonathan Widener, “it was a labor of love to bring it back bigger and better than ever.” We encourage everyone to show support for the LV community by attending. The grand opening should be lots of fun, and as you can see, there are many vendors to choose from. So come join the crowd at the Grand Opening of the Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market. The LV Update will also be there to answer your questions and perhaps record your impressions of the Market.
Focus on Farmers’ Market Vendor (Part 1)
Sweet Cravings by Paula
Paula Tarrant can best be described as a force of nature. I have never seen so much energy and personality in one person. Paula and her partner Raquel operate Sweet Cravings by Paula which was offering fried catfish, fried chicken, sides of candied yams, mac and cheese, collard greens, and in coming weeks will add Peach Cobbler and perhaps red beans and rice. Stay tuned.
Paula tells me she hails from Louisiana but has been in California for 22 years. She learned to cook from her mother and grandmother and once you taste her food, you will know it is not typical California cuisine. When we were deciding what to eat last week, I had figured I would only eat veggies because although I had never had catfish, Steve thought I wouldn’t like it because of the texture. When Paula heard us talking she said “Girl, you haven’t had real catfish. If you taste mine, I guarantee you will love it.” Although I was skeptical, she gave us a couple of pieces to try and I couldn’t believe how good it was. The breading was perfectly seasoned, the fish not mushy, obviously made by someone who knew what they was doing. We purchased one order of catfish with a side order of yams, and it was plenty for both of us for lunch. The yams were cooked just right and not too sweet. I even drank the juice at the bottom of the cup.
Paula has an interesting story to tell. She has been, and is involved in many things. As I said, she has unlimited energy She has another location on Park Boulevard, does cake decorating, and theme parties (judging from her reviews, she is fantastic at everything she does). She does other Farmers’ Markets, but is very happy to be in Linda Vista. I hope you will stop by her tent and try her wonderful offerings.
When you do, please tell Paula and Raquel you read about them in the Linda Vista Update.
Focus on Farmers’ Market Vendor (Part 2)
Argos Baking Company
Another new vendor this past week was Bethany Page, owner of Argos Bakery. Bethany brought Soda Bread, Sourdough Bread, and garlic/parm buns. In talking with her, I discovered this is her first foray into selling at a Farmers’ Market. Although she has worked in bakeries from time to time, she is largely self-taught and is willing to try most anything. Although she did not bring them last week, she also makes cinnamon buns and, hopefully, we will see them in the future. The bread was a real bargain for $5.00, and the Soda bread we bought was just delicious when toasted.
Bethany has lived in Dallas and Atlanta among other places. Her husband is a graduate student at UCSD, which is what brought them to San Diego. Right now she is not doing other Farmers’ Markets, but we wish her success and expansion of her business. Hopefully, the Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market will help establish her reputation and aid her bakery’s growth. Stop by and say hello to Bethany and try her bread and rolls.
More Farmers’ Market Vendor News
In case you missed any of our previous 3 issues, you can click on the following vendor names to read about 3 other Farmers’ Market vendors we have featured for our readers’ benefit. All three will be in attendance for today’s Farmers’ Market event.
Twisted Trolley Traveling Treats
Maya Vargas Sets Tone for Community Engagement
The Linda Vista Update is always on the lookout for people and organizations who best represent the valuable concept of community engagement—that essential element of collaboration with others that contributes to the overall welfare of our neighborhoods. We think it’s beneficial to publicize such notable examples so that other residents are inspired to follow in their footsteps.
The new Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market is one great example of how different people and organizations in the community have voluntarily engaged in a collaborative effort to create a weekly event capable of serving the Linda Vista community. The board of directors for this non-profit organization is made up of representatives of different local organizations with proven track records of community engagement. In this issue of the newsletter, we chose to focus on one Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market board member, in particular; we thought this board member—Maya Vargas—seems to exemplify what community engagement looks like in Linda Vista. Based on her work with Access, Inc, , the Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair, the Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market, and her attendance at numerous civic meetings in Linda Vista, we view her as a key player in helping the community work together and more effectively.
A graduate of the University of California at San Diego (with an emphasis on Global Health), Maya Vargas is an AmeriCorps VISTA member. According to the AmeriCorps web site, this federal agency aims “to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.” AmeriCorps VISTA members sign up with a host agency for a full-time term of service.
Maya is currently serving her AmeriCorps one year term of service with the University of San Diego’s Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action. The Mulvaney Center is her host site from which she forms partnerships with other local organizations. As explained on the Mulvaney Center’s web site, “Maya supports USD’s anchor mission by working on economic development projects within Linda Vista, Barrio Logan, and City Heights. Her work also focuses on collaborating with community partners, especially Access Inc. and their Microenterprise program. A lot of her intersecting work is centered on empowering individuals to start or expand their small businesses by connecting them with essential resources and opportunities.” As part of the Mulvaney Center, she is able to ensure the resources possessed by the University get out to help the community.
In her role helping to coordinate Access, Inc’s Microenterprise Program, she has helped organize the Community Market (or Mercadito Comunitario) which involves several small business vendors/ entrepreneurs testing their concepts and refining their products on Sunday mornings in front of the Access, Inc building (at 2612 Daniel Ave). The vendors sell food and different crafts. She has also helped some of these vendors begin selling their products at the Love, Linda Vista Farmers’ Market. (You can check out all that Access, Inc does by reading a previous LV Update article posted here.)
In engaging with the community, Maya also recently helped the Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair by coordinating the Fair’s Student Art Contest, which recognized several local talented elementary school students.
Finally, she has played an integral role in the challenging task of restarting the Farmers’ Market in Linda Vista, serving as a board member (Secretary) for the Love Linda Vista Farmers’ Market. Along with the other board members Jonathan Widener (President), Caron Celestino (Vice President), John Nielson (Treasurer), Austin Galy, Julieta Gonzalez, and Tomasa Ruiz, she “dove into it” and helped figure out all the “logistics requirements like where to source the necessary equipment” and the “different city permits and fees,” and “getting to know all the vendors.” As she explained, “For most of us, it was the first time working with a Farmers’ Market, but we were confident we could figure it all out. Fortunately, Caron Celestino had Farmers’ Market experience and that helped us all get on the same page.”
As far as today’s Farmers’ Market is concerned, Maya has one important piece of advice for local residents, and that is that “all the vendors have amazing food.”
Re-starting the Farmers’ Market in Linda Vista has been no small task, and we are happy to know that people like Maya Vargas have the drive to engage and help coordinate the efforts of different community personnel and organizational assets for the benefit of all Linda Vista residents.
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The Linda Vista Update wishes to thank Maya Vargas for taking the time to talk with us and answer our questions.
Upcoming Community Events
—Fish and Chips: The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a a Fish and Chips Dinner this Friday June 3 at Holy Family Catholic Church from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Take-out is available.
—Community Mural: This Saturday June 4, come check out the Community Mural at Access Inc. (at 2612 Daniel Street). The mural has been funded by Access, Inc and has been led and organized by Araya Komai, a local artist who works at Access, Inc. The mural incorporates plants native to San Diego and honors the local Kumeyaay land. The mural is still a work in progress, and the artist welcomes everyone’s ideas and talent. Please read the below flyer for more details. You can also click here to learn more about the artist and the mural.
—Community Clean-up: The next monthly Community Clean-up, sponsored by the Bayside Community Center, will be held June 5 (Sunday). Volunteers will meet in the Linda Vista Library at 10:00 am.
—Aladdin Musical: Please click on the QR code on the below poster to get all the details for attending the upcoming LV Theatre Arts Program performance of Aladdin, An Arabian Musical. The performance will take place at the Linda Vista Recreation Center June 15, 16 and 17. Come on out and see these talented LV youngsters perform.
—Job Placement Program: Access, Inc has a Construction Job Placement Program that is specifically focused on recruiting women and BIPOC. If you, or someone you know, is interested in getting a job in the Construction sector, please check out the flyer below and/or share it with your friends.
LV News Briefs
—Congrats to the University of San Diego Toreros Baseball Team that qualified for the NCAA Division I playoffs by winning the West Coast Conference Tournament held last week in Stockton, CA. The Toreros were able to defeat the highly ranked Gonzaga University Bulldogs to win the conference tournament championship, and thereby earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. They will compete this weekend in Corvallis, Oregon in the NCAA regional tournament. Their first game in the tournament will be this Friday afternoon against Vanderbilt University.
—Congrats to two members of the Linda Vista Update staff. First, we congratulate our cub reporter Nicole Phakdy on her impending graduation from Kearny High School. She is headed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall. We also congratulate our Carnivore sidekick for graduating from the University of San Diego. He celebrated his recent graduation by eating an entire side of beef.
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