Farmers’ markets, and other roving and stationary markets like swap meets, are a staple of Los Angeles culture. With notable farmers’ markets in Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Larchmont, they also have a reputation for being upmarket and more accessible to Angelinos who regularly shop at Erewhon rather than Smart & Final.
However, that changes with the arrival of a new weekend farmers market in Little Tokyo from local nonprofit Food Access, located in Isamu Noguchi Plaza just one block south of Japanese Village Plaza.
Not only do small and mid-size farmers sell directly to you at prices that can compete with local grocery stores, but the program strives to elevate a diverse variety of local vendors. CalFresh EBT and SUN Bucks are accepted, with an extra $20 match split into $10 towards fruits and vegetables and $10 for any other food purchases within the market.
Women and minority-owned businesses are highlighted, offering everything from farm-fresh eggs to street food, baked goods, and vegetables you usually don’t see at the grocery store. Farmers come in from Tulare and Kern Counties, with a handful from farms in the Santa Barbara area. Most of the non-farm vendors are local to LA County.
I spoke with Len at Yamabushi mushroom farms, which is local to South LA. Len started the company with his friend, who comes from eight generations of mushroom growers. Cultivating mushrooms in LA’s arid environment can be challenging, with the best mushroom growing opportunities taking advantage of the cold and wet climate in the Pacific Northwest, where Len’s business partner frequently does outings to compare to the local mushroom harvest. Yamabushi offers their locally-grown shiitake, lion’s mane, and maitake mushrooms plus tinctures and powders made from them, and has found a new home in Little Tokyo’s weekend farmer’s market.
After picking up farm-fresh kale, asparagus, and fruits, I stopped by Mija’s Bake Shop. The owner, Cristina, makes vegan versions of classic Mexican pan dulce and sugar cookies and European pastries like croissants and Viennoise rolls for customers seeking plant-based options. She initially learned how to make baked goods from family recipes the traditional way, later adapting them to vegan-friendly and allergen-friendly versions. She mentioned that Food Access prioritizes elevating women-owned businesses, making them the ideal partner for women business owners in LA thinking of making the pivot to become a licensed cottage baker.
Farmers’ markets in LA can take on a multitude of forms. This one solves many of the pain points in accessing farmers markets by providing ample walking space with enough room for strollers, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids. The street food vendors are located in the back with plenty of shade and places to sit, and you can use the bathroom in Aratani Theater located in the same plaza: you don’t have to brave a Port-a-Potty or hope you can hold out until your next destination. Parking is difficult to come by on a Saturday morning in Little Tokyo, but there are plenty of garages and very quick access from the Metro A and E lines. You can easily make an entire walkable day out of coming for the farmer’s market, then staying for Japanese Village Plaza down the street.
Little Tokyo Weekend Farmers’ Market is located inside Isamu Noguchi Plaza on 244 San Pedro Street, directly across from the exit of Japanese Village Plaza. Hours of operation are 9AM-2PM on Saturdays.
