Little Italy’s Farmer Market Sets a High Standard

Farmer markets are a growing trend in the U.S. Little Italy’s Saturday 8am-2pm market is one of the largest in San Diego offering a wide range of products. Strolling numerous blocks of goods you will pass fruit, vegetables, bread, clothing, ethnic food, fresh fish, condiments, sculptures, live entertainment and much more. Just about anything you ever wanted out of a farmer’s market is present. 

Little Italy Farmer’s Market San Diego

8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Between W. Date and India Streets

The Italian culture seems to fit with outside displays of fresh fruit and small business artisans. Italian cuisine is loaded with red tomatoes, olive oil, oregano and other natural ingredients that are a regular draw for locals. For those who love to cook from scratch and make mouthwatering masterpieces out of their kitchens Little Italy’s Farmer Market provides them with just about everything they need.

 

Farmer markets also appeal to a broad spectrum of society and draws visitors to the business cluster increasing its influence. The average customer at a farmer’s market enjoys cooking, is female, lives with another adult and is not cost conscious (Zepeda, 2009). 

The market provides an opportunity for these customers to touch, taste, experience, and eventually purchase products making it a direct marketing strategy. One vendor of natural beauty cosmetics says she regularly receives customer feedback from around the country mentioning their first exposure to her products at the Little Italy Farmer’s Market. 

You may be more interested in household decoration and the productions of local artists. John opened his first business website at indiartster.com and hopes it will be up within a week or so. His sculptures look as though they fit well on a mantle, above a door, or in your office. All of his artistic productions have historical significance. 

Little Italy’s Farmers market occurs every Saturday making it a consistent place to go shopping and obtain supplies. Enjoy your experience and ask the vendors any question you desire. Most are more than willing to talk about their creations. Even if you don’t have anything to purchase immediately in mind you may just want to have a coffee, walk around, and listen to the music. 

http://www.littleitalysd.com/mercato/

Zepeda, L. (2009). Which little piggy goes to the market? Characteristics of US farmers’_market shoppers. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 33 (3).

San Diego Sunday Farmer Markets

Few things are better than going back to nature’s simplicity when buying food. No heavy pesticides, artificial flavoring, or wax covered fruit. Farmer markets offer an opportunity to experience products how they were before mass marketing and encourage support of local farming families. Consider the difficulties many small productions have in getting recognition for their brands.

In San Diego, local farmer markets enhance the décor and culture of the downtown regions.  Local residents and visitors enjoy seeing the sites and walking around the markets to see what local products are available. Cottage industry sales become part of local expression in the form of native produce, crafts, jewelry, clothing, and food.

Two farmer markets are within a few miles of each other and are easily walked. 

Third Avenue Certified Farmers Market and Asian Bazaar: A rather small farmer market that appears to be slowing down in terms of participants. One can visit local Chinese restaurants, stores, and museum while picking up a few household items. There isn’t a lot of fruit or vegetables but there are local businesses and vendors with items for sale. Consider Olivetti’s Fine Oils and Vinegars at http://www.olivettioilandvinegar.com

Sunday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
400 block of Third Ave. between Island Ave and J Street

Seaport Village Headquarters: A fairly strong market that offers fruit & vegetables, household items, jewelry , honey, bags and clothing. It isn’t as large as some of the other markets offered on Saturday but does provide many of the basic items you need. Of particular interest are the natural free range eggs. Papa’s Garden offers a playground for their exceptionally cared for chickens. You can order at papas_garden@hotmail.com

Sunday: 10:00-2:00PM

Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway

Farmer markets are more than simply selling products for profit. They also take on a form of direct marketing allowing small businesses to gain interest and attention from their target market (Tijani & Yano, 2007). There isn’t much difference between farmer markets and the ancient bazaars. It becomes a place of community where people meet, talk, socialize, and purchase products. If nothing else it gets people enjoying the outdoors.

Tijani, S. & Yano, I. (2007). The direct farmer’s market: a tool for rural female empowerment. Direct Marketing, 1 (4).