Image courtesy of Farm Lot 59.
Supporters of locally-sourced produce can rejoice, Farmstand 59 returns after a four-year hiatus with a grand re-opening Saturday, September 23. The stand, located at Farm Lot 59, was originally open from 2012-2013 but was shut down because of a lack of electricity.
The organic farm stand will be celebrating with Hawaiian-themed luau festivities including island dancing and floral decorations. They will also be selling Hawaiian BBQ.
“The need is there and the public wants it,” said Sasha Kanno, farmer and founder of Farm Lot 59. “This stand is where we can sell our locally grown products. We’re not in any grocery stores and we don’t go to the farmer’s market.”
The stand offers seasonal, organic produce grown by Kanno at Farm Lot 59, as well as seasonal produce from local farms such as Weiser Family Farms, Tamai Farms, Tutti Fruitti Farms, Bernard Ranch, Tenerelli Orchards and Ha Family Farms among others.
Both the farm and the stand have had problems with vandalism in the past. Even though the farm is still without electricity, the stand will continue to operate with ice and coolers.
Farmstand 59 is operated by Long Beach local Ollie Cigliano, who has extensive knowledge on growing organic food and sustainability. It is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00AM to 6:00PM and Saturdays from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.
“The revival of Farmstand 59 has been a long time coming,” Kanno said in a statement. “I was thrilled to partner with Ollie to get the farmstand up and running again, and we look forward to supplying healthful, organic produce and other products to our Long Beach neighbors.”
The stand will also offer humanely sourced meats and dairy products and organic free range eggs. Unique artisan goods such as woven African baskets from Baobab Collective, a collection of cookbooks, custom recipes and fresh baked baguettes from Pandor Bakery will also be available.
The Farmstand 59 grand re-opening festivities will be held from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. The luau begins at 11:00AM. It will be free to attend with food available to purchase.
For more information on donating to bring electricity to the farm, click here.
Farmstand 59 is located at 2714 California Avenue.
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