LA Farmers Market
Iconic market at 3rd and Fairfax has remained a star attraction in LA for nearly 80 years.
Imagine getting to taste some of the freshest and best cuisine from around the world without ever having to leave Los Angeles. Sound impossible? Well, not if you've ever been to the original Los Angeles Farmers Market. Millions of visitors from near and far visit the market annually and for locals, it has become their beloved grocery store, town square, favorite dining room and one of the city's most eclectic destinations all rolled into one.
The "farmers market" part of the LA Farmers Market was started by two businessmen back in 1934. They asked the owners of a former dairy farm at 3rd and Fairfax if they could invite local farmers to park trucks on the vacant land to sell fresh produce to local shoppers. Eighteen farmers responded to the opportunity, each paying 50 cents' rent to park their trucks on the property. Originally called the "Farmers Public Market," the concept was so popular that within months, permanent stalls were erected to provide the farmers with a more convenient way to provide their produce.
The "restaurant" part of the market was the idea of a local woman: Blanche Magee. When farmers first parked trucks at the market, she thought they might like to have lunch so every day, she filled a picnic basket and began feeding them. That eventually turned into a restaurant onsite called "Magee's Kitchen," and today folks still line up for her mouthwatering recipes for roast beef, corned beef, turkey and ham platters.
Today, nearly eight decades later, the open-air market remains one of the most popular grocery stores in town. Shoppers can still pick up fresh produce, along with special cuts of meat, seafood, freshly baked pastries and made-to-order snacks. Or they can enjoy one of the many restaurants that feature cuisines from all over the world. From to your basic burger to French crêpes to Greek, Mexican, Asian, Spanish and Brazilian fare, the market has it all to sample!
For more information about the market, visit www.farmersmarketla.com.
