The Beverly Hills Farmers Market
Sundays, 9am - 1pm
Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills
The Beverly Hills Sunday farmers market is not bad, it is actually quite typical of an LA farmers market. But in a part of town where everything has to be special in order to justify its real and supposed exclusivity, I was hoping for a bit more than just the same.
Not even a celebrity sighting was to be had at this market, which is literally across the street from the Beverly Hills neighborhood proper, though there were plenty of women there trying really hard to look like they had money. Even on a beautiful day, there was not much foot traffic at all, which usually means the market will not be customized to the community, and therefore not really be worth the drive unless you are in the vicinity.
To be fair, there were some rare finds that are worth mentioning. For example, Rancho Mexico Lindo’s exotic fruits, featuring the only prickly pear to be purchased at a farmers market. One farmer had that distinctively sweet orange blossom honey, which is not too hard to find at other markets, but at other markets the farmer selling it isn’t an adorable old man in a purple cowboy shirt. I was expecting to see more products along the line of the 100% organic antioxidant whole bean coffee for sale at the market, products that capitalized on the food interests of the market’s demographic. Unfortunately, these few vendors were the only ones that stood out from the crowd.
There were some reliable food choices like Candy’s Gourmet All Natural Meat, selling their delicious hot sandwiches and chicken plates, and Mis Padres Tacos, which is self-explanatory. Domenico’s Restaurant had a booth, more as an advertisement for the restaurant itself than for the sake of the farmer’s market spirit, but it was at least different.
Of the typical offerings which you can get at any farmers market, there was a fair variety of gorgeous eggplant and artichokes to be had. Heirlooms are now showing up in full-force, and you don’t have to spend 4 or 5 dollars a pound anymore to get them. Plus you only need to buy two as they are the size of a grapefruit at this point.
Despite the lack of singularity of the Beverly Hills market, its organizers are doing a good job branding the place. At the visitor information booth at the center of the market you can find grocery bags, aprons, and shirts baring the charming logo of the market, all made of canvas or canvas colored fabric, pushing that granola, natural vibe.
As I said, there is nothing tremendously wrong with this market, but also nothing wonderfully right. There was plenty of “ordinary” produce of good quality and competitive prices to be had, just like any other farmers market. But there were also a lot of repeat vendors that do the farmers market circuit, making the location of this market interchangeable with Huntington Beach, which is not the point of Beverly Hills. I know I am being picky, but it’s only because the market was not a buzzing hub of commerce, as it could have been with more innovation.
Photos by Shelby Chambers
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