Photos by Floyd Hampton Livingston courtesy of the Office Of Councilmember Steven Neal.
Long Beach’s northernmost farmers market has changed its day of operation and expanded efforts to bring fresh, healthy food to 9th District residents in time for the holidays.
The Greener Good, which began last summer with a City Health Department grant, activated the empty lot on the corner of Atlantic Ave. and Artesia Blvd. every Wednesday from 3PM to 8PM, catching Jordan High School students and local residents on their way home. After a year of operation, however, co-managers Jorge Rivera and Stephen Metz realized that many in the working-class neighborhood couldn’t make it to the market mid-week and the number of people attending started to dwindle.
“It’s no secret that Wednesday afternoon and evenings are a real challenge for many working families in the North Long Beach area,” Metz said. “For the most part, our foot traffic on Wednesdays was decent but I felt it could be much better and I believe the potential is there.”
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So, starting three weeks ago, the decision was made to move Greener Good to Fridays, when he hopes children’s homework and parents’ work schedules will be more flexible. Also, the new day opens the market up for new vendors and two–Top Notch Organic Farms and D&J Delicious Mexican Food–have already signed on.
As more people flock to the Friday Greener Good, Metz hopes to add a permanent space for live bands and follow through on the market’s original goal of providing on-site cooking and fitness classes targeted towards seniors. This Friday, a holiday music concert will also coincide with the market, featuring local jazz artist Dave Williams, gospel recording artist Kesha Ealy and the Jordan High School Spirit Team and Drum Line performing from 5PM to 7PM.
Downtown Long Beach’s long-running farmers market also takes place on Fridays and is an inspiration for Metz, who hopes Greener Good can become just as much an institution in its neighborhood.
“With the Downtown farmers market, my long-term goal is to hopefully create the same synergy and success but with a different flavor at the same time,” Metz said.
The Greener Good takes place Fridays from 3PM-7PM on the corner of Artesia Blvd. and Atlantic Ave.
Read more:
- Inaugural Taste of North Town to Spotlight Uptown Eateries
- A Greener Day: 9th District Gets Its Own Farmers Market
- City Place Cancels Downtown Farmers Market Effective Immediately
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