Santa Monica’s 4 Weekly Farmers Markets Build Community, Sell Produce Tax-Free
Updated
Updated · smdp.com · Aug 11
Santa Monica’s 4 Weekly Farmers Markets Build Community, Sell Produce Tax-Free
2 articles · Updated · smdp.com · Aug 11
Summary
Four weekly Santa Monica farmers markets are drawing loyal regulars with hard-to-find produce, from specialty strawberries to uncommon melons, while doubling as neighborhood gathering spots.
Nearly 10% in sales-tax savings helps offset higher prices, vendors say, though they stress shoppers are paying for freshness, sustainability, animal welfare and varieties unavailable at big-box stores.
$128 worth of strawberries can disappear if 100 samples are taken, Harry’s Berries said, underscoring why vendors ask customers not to self-sample and to respect food-safety rules.
Jane Jacobs’ idea of “third spaces” runs through the markets’ appeal: brief, low-stakes exchanges between farmers and shoppers that vendors say often lead to better recommendations and stronger customer ties.