Including more local businesses

City officials would like to see more local businesses represented in the Laguna Beach Farmer’s Market.

Mayor Elizabeth Pearson and Councilman Kelly Boyd were appointed Tuesday to meet with market representatives to discuss ways local businesses could be included.

“With many of our businesses struggling, the council should explore avenues to assist these businesses,” Pearson said. “At least one and perhaps more businesses have expressed an interest in participating in the Farmer’s Market.”

Pearson said she had a telephone call from the owner of Laguna Coffee Co. who roasts his own coffee.

He wasn’t interested in selling coffee at the market, just the beans.

His would have been the only such stand, but he was turned down.

“We are a very traditional farmer’s market that supports growers and we are limited in space,” said Jennifer Griffiths, market manager.

“We are full and if the city wants to start including local businesses, we’d have to move or the businesses would have to be located in an adjacent space like the parking lot.”

Certified farmers markets like Laguna’s are sponsored by the Orange County Farm Bureau.

Farmers who sell at the markets are inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to ensure they actually grow the products they sell.

“Members are farmers in the county were the produce they sell is grown,” Griffiths said.

However, non-agricultural vendors are allowed to participate, according to the bureau website.

“We have a small ‘non-ag’ section, in which participation must be permitted by the county Environmental Health Department,” Griffiths said. “Three years ago, the city changed our conditional use permit to allow farm-grown flowers.

“Local florist shops which asked to be included have never been permitted,” Griffiths said.

Griffiths believes that only one business has applied to a council member for assistance in participating in the Laguna market.

However, the council voted in favor of a recommendation to include businesses, in the plural, not the singular.

“It may start a precedent.” Griffiths said.

Candy makers and bakers might be interested in following the lead of a coffee bean roaster.

“Ultimately, it is our decision,” Griffiths said. “We will know more after the meeting.”

For more information, visit orange.cfbf/com.