For the last 30 years, the La Mesa Village Farmers Market (LMVFM) has remained a popular hub for local vendors, fresh produce and community gathering.
Held every Friday from 3 – 7:30 p.m. on La Mesa Blvd. between Palm Ave, and 4th St., the market’s 30th anniversary month-long celebration will begin Sept. 1. Online, market and vendor giveaways will take place, and among the LMVFM’s 84 vendors, visitors can shop farm fresh vegetables, bread and baked goods, meats, fish, plants and much more.
Bread Underground is among the LMVFM’s vendors and is composed of family team Jackie, Jeff, Logan and Sydney.
Owner and baker Jackie Imray started Bread Underground as a bread delivery service during the height of the pandemic. What began as a passion project — delivering homemade bread throughout North County twice a week — quickly expanded into farmers markets, including the LMVFM.
“I roped my husband into the business because I wanted to start going to farmers markets,” Imray said. “When we just started and were just doing the delivery, I was baking everything in my kitchen aid oven, four loaves at a time. Now I can do 25 loaves at a time, which helps with timing and needing to produce more.”
Bread Underground has been a part of the LMVFM since 2022 and according to Imray, is a special place to visit, shop, meet new people and support the community.
“La Mesa has that feeling of a village,” Imray explained. “I think that if you’re going to the farmer’s market you’re not only investing in the community but in sustainable living by buying local and supporting local vendors, farmers and people that believe in community.”
Similarly, Farmer Juan Martinez of Heritage Family Farms believes that farmers markets are instrumental to the health of the community and economy.
“I really do believe that farmers markets are crucial for food sources, it’s an outlet for local food sources,” Martinez said. “It’s almost like a place of dependence on survival, of our community being stable. Food is probably the most important thing to civilization.”
Heritage Farms, a family run food source, has been a LMVFM vendor since 2020.
“There’s five brothers and I’m just the one that supervises the whole thing from start to finish,” Martinez said. “My kids help out too, they’re teenagers and all out of high school now so they’re helping out on weekends. My youngest helps out full time now. Two of my sisters also help out, a brother-in-law, and my nephews. It takes a big family to do what we do.”
While perusing vendor stands, visitors can also find True Pet Kitchens, an organization that specializes and prioritizes true ingredients, flavors and love for pets. Founder Melanie Dunwell started True Pet Kitchens due to a lack of clean ingredients when shopping for her own pets.
“I found it really difficult to find quality pet food and treats for my own dog,” Dunwell said. “It’s very hard to find pet food that isn’t full of byproducts and unhealthy stuff. That’s why I wanted to create something that’s fresh, preservative free and has healthy ingredients for the pets.”
Dunwell joined the LMVFM a couple months ago and appreciates its unique and supportive environment.
“I think the farmers market is great for people who are looking for fresh, quality products,” Dunwell said. “I think it’s also very important for people to support small, local businesses. It’s a great environment for people to be, it’s a fun place for people to go and enjoy themselves.”
For the last 30 years the La Mesa Village Farmers Market has been a beloved spot for many visitors. Whether you’re looking for pet treats, produce, bread or other local goods, there’s a place for everyone at the La Mesa Village Farmers Market.
Further information about the La Mesa Village Farmers Market, their 30th anniversary celebrations and more can be found at: lamesavillageassociation.org/la-mesa-village-farmers-market.
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