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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Local farmer Randy Bekendam sells fresh green produce from his Pomona farm at the first ever Claremont Green Market on Wednesday evening inside the Packing House. In addition to food items like fruits, herbs and vegetables, the new weekly market will also feature environmentally friendly products and information on living green. |
Green is the color of choice at the Packing House
There was plenty of green at the Packing House in both color and spirit. It was the launch of the new Green Market on Wednesday night. Local farmers, artists, business owners and environmentalists joined forces to create the latest attraction in downtown, with the hope of promoting a greener way of living.
As children played in the Packing House's long corridor, dozens of market visitors walked by the tables covered with fresh produce, candles, books and crafts.
Charleen Krueger munched on fresh lettuce straight out of the bag as she walked out the doors. “It has such a marvelous butter taste,” she said. “And I like that it was grown locally and organically. Who wants to eat pesticides?”
Ms. Krueger bought her lettuce and radishes at a table set up by Randy Bekendam of Amy's Farm. Nearly all of Amy's Farm produce was grown on a half-acre vegetable garden just behind Tri City Mental Health Center's headquarters on Garey Avenue in Pomona.
“The most important part is that we're local,” Mr. Bekendam said. “And very fresh. Everything here was picked this morning.”
Cheryl Simpliss left the market with a package of bean sprouts and information on how to use her front lawn space for growing food. She plans to volunteer with the organization Claremont Food Not Lawns after chatting with some members at a table. “That's exactly what I was looking for,” Ms. Simpliss said. (story continues below)
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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Femi Collins, owner of JuiceORama in the Village, prepares a fruit smoothie at his booth during the new Green Market. The new market will take place on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. inside the Packing House in Village West. |
Local business owners used the market to promote their healthy and environmentally friendly products. A popular table featured the special berry and fruit smoothies blended by Femi Collins of JuiceORama in the Village.
EcoTerra, a health food and alternative medicine store on Indian Hill Boulevard, offered organic zucchini hummus and Vegan chips made from dehydrated fruit and vegetable fibers taken from their juicer and sprinkled with Sesame seeds and rosemary.
Other unique products found at the Green market include 100 percent natural candles made from soy wax and bags, crafts and purses created out of discarded plastic grocery bags.
Business owners in the Packing House were happy to see the extra foot traffic that the market brought in. “There have been less people walking through because of the fire [at The Forks],” said Ev Sauceda, who works at the Wine Merchant. “So this is a great way to bring people in here more regularly.”
This coming Wednesday, the Green Market will feature 2 speakers related to fire resistance and sustainable home design, including a representative from the Claremont Environmental Design Group Inc. and homeowner Vern Jahnke. After losing his home in the 2003 Grand Prix Fire, Mr. Jahnke worked with CEDG to build a fire-resistant, sustainable home and landscape.
On Wednesday, January 21, Mark Von Wodtke, president of Energy Harvester Inc., will speak about solar electric and solar thermal system designs for homes.
The Green Market will run every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in main corridor of the Packing House.
—Tony Krickl
