Featured Vendor - Dry Dock Fish

“Drydock Fish Company”

The owner of Drydock Fish Company, Mark Lewis, was born in Marseille, France. He grew up in Casablanca, Morrocco where he and his friends would enjoy fishing the rivers. Mark came to the United States in 1968. He chose to build a fish business because he wanted to provide people with an outstanding selection of fresh fish, which he found was hard to come by. Drydock Fish has been a family operated company since 1986 when it first opened.

Mark enjoys seeing returning customers who share with him their ‘FISH STORIES’. He is known for being an extraordinary chef during markets, providing samples to his apprieciative customers.

Drydock Fish Company provides the freshest fish to a wide variety of gourmet restaurants between Los Angeles and San Diego, and supply 13 farmer’s markets per week in the Southern California area.

Mark does not have a set schedule of work hours at the plant. “I’m not done until everything is done!”, says Mark. He has no plans to retire anytime soon, and when he does, his son will still be working as the Manager of Drydock Fish. Marks future plans for Drydock are to continue selling fresh fish and expand the company so that they can go to more markets throughout California. He also plans on moving his company from Fullerton down to San Diego.

 

Heading up many of the Farmers Markets in Southern California is Stefan. Stefan always has great tips on how to prepare the fish and he has a wide berth of knowledge on all things fish. Come stop by and say hello to Stefan at the following markets:

Larchmont Village Sunday 9:00-2:00

South Pasadena Thursday 3:00-7:30

Agoura Hills Sundays 9:00-2:00

Westlake Village Sundays 10:00-2:00

 

Happy Fishing!

http://www.drydockfish.com/

Jennifer McColm partners with Whole Foods Markets

Jennifer McColm, Whole Foods Markets, Inc. and farmers’ market operator, Raw Inspiration, are opening their first farmers market in a joint venture between the three parties and developer Comstock Cosser Properties, the owners of El Segundo Plaza.

The market is located adjacent to the Whole Foods Market store at the El Segundo Plaza and the Grand Opening is set for Wednesday, September 23. The Whole Foods Farmers Market will be open every Wednesday between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm.

For further information, please call 818-591-8286

Downtown LA Farmers Market Move!

Downtown LA Farmers Market on 5th street is EXPANDING and MOVING to Pershing Square on April 1st!

Featured Vendor - “All Green Things”

The idea all started with a little a little independent film called “An Inconvenient Truth”. The message was clear and there is actual evidence to back up what Al Gore has been saying for years: Global warming does exist. After watching this documentary, Tanya Peel, like many of us, was motivated to start the journey to embrace a green life-style, not only for herself, but for our planet.

“I wanted to figure out how to minimize my use and waste of resources. It is undoubtedly a challenge at first, but I was realistic in trying to affect an initial change through an evolution instead of a shock. Consistent and deliberate action, however small, ultimately adds up to immense differences that reduce the negative effects on our environment. I suddenly felt empowered and wanted to empower others to challenge themselves to do more. I genuinely believe that people not only CAN make a difference, but when inspired properly by the stakes of this global struggle, will WANT to make a difference.”

Tanya Peel
Founder/ President

First, the easy stuff – she started with recycling bottles, cans, and paper products at home. This was a realistic beginning that led to bigger changes, such as exploring organic foods and eco-friendly household products. These steps were a little more daunting as a fear of paying higher prices for these products is a natural concern. Surprisingly enough, she found that with eco-friendly products you end up using less (light bulbs are a great example of this) so you actually end up SAVING MONEY.

Empowered by this new knowledge, Tanya became excited about inspiring and educating others to explore their own options in this green revolution. From this hope for the future, “All Green Things” was born. “All Green Things” is an on-line educational resource that provides users with a comprehensive source of facts about green living. They offer eco-products that encourage a purchasing process that focuses on local economies, fair practices, reusable or sustainable materials, and less consumption tied to ever changing trends.

One of the most successful selling items on the website is a 100% hemp reusable produce bag. These bags come in small and large sizes and are breathable, lightweight, washable and super durable. You can also purchase a 100% organic cotton carrying pouch which holds 5 or 10 100% hemp reusable produce bags. Perfect to keep on- hand at home, work, and in the car for those last minute needs! Click here for more info.

As a rule, “All Green Things” strives to be a good citizen within the “greening the planet” industry. As an extra bonus, whenever you make a purchase with them, they give a portion of all net profits back towards causes in support of the arts, community, and environment. They are a proud member of “One Percent For the Planet”, a select group of retailers who are committed to giving back at least 1% of net profits towards environmental causes.

On Saturday mornings you can always stop by Tanya Peel’s booth at the Calabasas Farmer’s Market. She is also making plans to open her new storefront in Woodland Hills, due to launch March 2009.

Eliki Olive Oil

First, let’s answer the question “Why Greek olive oil?” What is it that makes Greek olive oil so unique?

There are 800 million olive trees in the world with 700 million of them in the Mediterranean area and 140 million of them in Greece. Olive oil is a very important part of Greek nutrition. The Greek consumer is very particular to the oil he uses in his diet. He has known it for years…has identified himself with it and will not accept anything less than the quality he is used to. Olive oil is considered a sacred food in Greece and no alterations or changes of any kind are allowed. Greece has laws that regulate the quality of olive oil and these laws are strictly enforced for the protection of the consumer. But more important than that, the Greek farmer takes a special pride in the production of olive oil. Extra care is taken at all stages of olive oil production and packaging and standards are kept very high indeed.

Why “Eliki” Olive Oil?

The answer is simple. Because Eliki has a history of olive oil production as long as the age of this 4th century B.C. bronze coin that comes from the ancient city of Eliki.

The average consumer would think that an olive oil is an olive oil and that’s about what there is to it. This is not the case at all. Olive oil is as versatile as wine and definitely more complex and difficult to appreciate. There is a wide range of colors, aromas and flavors, which are characteristic to a good quality olive oil; olive fruitiness and balance of flavors is a prerequisite for extra virgin olive oil. Each variety of olive has its own distinct characteristics.

Greek olive oil has its own special flavors ensuing from the particular varieties cultivated in Greece only and from the microclimate and special environment in which these olives produce their fruit.

The composition of olive oil therefore depends among other things on climatic conditions, soil quality and fruit variety. Every olive oil therefore has its own character depending where it is produced.

The Eliki Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from an area of Greece that has a climate that is very conducive to the production of olive oil. The special climatic conditions of the area such as the sea, the mountains that are at a close proximity to the sea, the sun, the clear blue sky, the hot summer and mild winter and the soil that is rich in the constituents most valued by the olive tree all contribute to the production of a very high quality extra virgin olive oil.

Eliki olive oil does not contain pesticides because spraying has been banned for many years. In addition, the very special quality in Eliki Extra Virgin Olive Oil is ensured by other additional factors such as the picking method of the fruit, the crashing and processing of the olives as well as the storage and bottling of the oil to name the most important ones. Greek olive oil is the best in the world and “Eliki” Extra Virgin Olive Oil is at the top of Greek olive oils.

For more information on Eliki’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil and many other products they carry, please visit www.elikioliveoil.com.

Eliki Olive Oil LLC
P.O. Box 90340
Los Angeles CA 90009
Ph: 310-756-2462
FAX: 310-645-9599