Aiming to become the official 'city market' in San Diego, Little Italy Mercato is the downtown neighborhood’s first outdoor farmer's market, to be held every Saturday from 9am to 1:30pm, starting June 7, 2008.
Located on Date Street in Little Italy and open weekly, this market will be a fresh take on grocery shopping and a catalyst for promoting locally grown produce. Ditch your typical shopping experience and come rub elbows with your community while sampling and buying organic produce including meats, cheese, and pastas.
More than 6,000 local farmers do a great service for San Diego's environment by planting crops that improve air quality and providing locally grown fresh produce. In fact, agriculture ranks as the fifth largest industry in San Diego County and contributes $1.4 billion to our local economy.
 In an effort to magnify these benefits, Little Italy Mercato is hoping to become a "Zero Waste Environment" by providing reusable shopping bags for vendors and shoppers while insisting on the highest standard of recycling. No plastic bags or Styrofoam allowed at this market.
A farmer's market is a major part of a community, with mutual benefits for both seller and buyer. By purchasing locally grown produce, you help support a local farmer instead of a faceless corporation. Little Italy Mercato will host live chef demonstrations, food tastings, and over 35 vendors that will help you become acquainted with Little Italy and independent market-style shopping.
The new Mercato in Little Italy isn't the first market to blossom in San Diego this summer. So many other farmer's markets have been running for decades in our city and here are some we think are worth visiting:
On a Wednesday afternoon, head over to Ocean Beach for a breezy, beachside market visit. The Ocean Beach farmer’s market is open 4:00 to 8:00pm during summer on the block of Newport Ave between Cable Street and Bacon Street. Forage through the scarves and hats long enough to find a unique piece and check out the local art often being made while the market is running.
On the corner of 54th street and El Cajon Blvd., the Safari Market is the first East African Bazaar in an area of San Diego that has a huge contingent of Somalis. The Safari Market offers authentic east African foods, jewelry, and clothing and is open from 2pm to 8:30pm seven days a week.
Enjoy Del Mar Farmer's Market photos here.
For more information about San Diego farmer's markets including a list of certified local markets, visit the San Diego Farm Bureau.
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