Activists Help Hollywood Farmers' Market Get a Temporary Reprieve

by Kristen Ridley · 2010-12-20 06:39:00 UTC
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After nearly losing its street-closure permit and thus a quarter of its space, the Hollywood Farmers' Market has been granted a 90-day extension to give organizers time to work out a dispute resolution with the Los Angeles Film School.

The school recently announced that it requires access to the parking structures that the market blocks on Sunday mornings because it plans to offer more classes during that time. In order to get those parking spaces, the school said it would no longer grant approval for the farmers' market's street closure permits. Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA), the group that operates the market, would lose about $170,000 in revenue — revenue which helps support seven other markets — if it lost that space.

Luckily, City Council President Eric Garcetti, a strong market supporter, helped the two sides work out this temporary compromise while they (hopefully) work out a solution.

This turn of events came after a swift and loud outcry by market supports. Councilmember Garcetti's office received more than 1,000 emails and phone calls from defenders of the market in just a few days, including those from Change.org's petition. As a result, Councilmember Garcetti, who represents the Hollywood District, reiterated Thursday his commitment to the Hollywood Farmers' Market and to maintaining it's current size, number of vendors, and location at the centralized hub of Ivar and Selma at which it currently resides.

Representatives from the school and SEE-LA are to meet on a bi-weekly basis to try to work out an agreement. Market officials will look at possible tweaks to the layout of the market on adjacent streets, and the Film School will examine the possibility of joining the blocked structure to its other parking structure in order to ensure Sunday access.

It is, however, the Los Angeles Board of Public Works that ultimately grants the street closure permits that the Hollywood Farmers' Market requires. Our outcry has already helped the Hollywood Farmers' Market get a temporary reprieve. Now we need to work on making sure this market stays open in the long-term. Sign our petition today asking the Board to commit to protecting this city institution, and with it, food security and sustainability in Los Angeles.

Photo: Natalie Maynor via Flickr

Kristen Ridley is an artist, foodie, and aspiring grass farmer who earned her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Southern California.

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