Every Sunday, rain or shine, hundreds of local residents and tourists flock to the Malibu Farmers Market to buy a variety of ethnic food, fresh produce and groceries. But it’s not just a shopping destination. Many look forward to seeing neighbors, friends, teachers, celebrities and local community leaders.
“Friends and neighbors meet and share recipes every week. It’s a social event,” said Debra Bianco, co-founder and president of the Cornucopia Foundation, which puts on the weekly Malibu Farmers Market. “[Councilman] John Sibert calls it town center.”
Since 2005, the Farmers Market has contributed to the flavor of Malibu by bringing people together resulting not only in a welcoming and friendly community, but also one that supports many small and multigeneration family-owned and operated businesses.
“We named the family farm after my grandmother,” said Raul Taborga, the owner, agricultural engineer and farmer of Denny’s Organic Farms. “My whole family works on the farm with me.”
Originally from Bolivia, Taborga has more than 20 years of farming experience and holds a master’s degree in organic agriculture.
Vendors also sell fresh flowers, prepared international foods, vegan and gluten-free cookies, nuts, sprouts, aged balsamic vinegar, and flavored olive oils, candles and dog treats.
“For me, it is something out of the ordinary for Malibu,” said Pepperdine law school student Michael Reid. “You can have a nice lunch that is different and choose from a variety of things from Greek, Indian, Mexican or sometimes a new company.”
Allen Herndon, a partner in Etheridge Organics Farms, said the organic market continues to grow because people want to know where their food comes from. “We don’t pick it, pack it, load it and then ship it,” he said. “We pick it, and then we bring it to the market. When you buy from us, you know you are getting the produce from us, not Peru.”
During the winter months, Alison Hensley from Roots Organic Farms said their heartier greens such as kale, spinach, parsnip and celery are very popular. Farmers say the kale is milder and sweeter in the winter because frost transforms their starches into natural sugars.
Hensley said eggplant, tomatoes and peppers are out of season this time of year.
However, the farm offers organically grown tomatoes in a bottle until the season starts again.
As far as citrus, Washington navels and blood oranges are in season this winter, said Herndon.
Matt Walker, co-owner of Livia’s Kitchen, sells vegan and gluten-free cookies. Walker says his best-selling vegan cookie is the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie.
Malibu High School students Bridget Danley, Crystal Graham and Gabby Farrer couldn’t agree more. Even though they are not vegans, they love their cookies more than store-bought cookies, and their favorite is the peanut butter chocolate chip.
Aliki’s Greek Taverna sells many types of olives, hummus and other dips in addition to fresh lentil salad, Greek salad and appetizers.
One thing that’s been missing as of late, though, is an animal petting zoo. Bianco said the City of Malibu forced the Farmers Market to stop allowing the animal display because it was not included under the market’s original permit application. The loss has caused many attendees to write letters asking the city to allow the petting zoo once again, and Bianco plans on presenting the letters to the city.
The Cornucopia Malibu Farmers Market takes place every Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Malibu Library and old Malibu Courthouse building on Civic Center Way.
