Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Produce Project: Pop-Up Brings The Farm to The Arts District
The Produce Project is hoping to bring a little slice of the Santa Monica Farmers' Market to the Arts District with their new weekly pop-up at Handsome Roasters. Today marks their second week of operation out of the specialty coffee shop.
"We thought it would be a good way to explore community without committing to a brick and mortar. There really is a need in the Arts District for food fresh food," says Shaheda Sadhal, one of the market's organizers.
Sadhal volunteered with Santa Monica Farmers' Market Supervisor and Good Food correspondent Laura Avery for several years before she and her business partner, Sarah Delevan, got the idea for the Produce Project. Delevan is also a veteran of L.A.-area markets.
The two saw a need in the Arts District, since it's still in its developing stages. The neighborhood seems to be responding well to having farm-fresh produce available on a regular basis. Sadhal and Delevan hope to eventually open a brick-and-mortar location, and are currently checking out spaces in the Arts District as well as other areas of Downtown.
Support for LAist comes from
When it comes to the Produce Project's wares, the ladies prefer to stock produce from farmers who they have personally visited. They pick up produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market every Wednesday morning from 10 farmers who they've personally visited.
"We like to know where our food comes from, and we want to be able to say to our customers that we know this farm, we've been to this farm, and we know these families," says Delevan.
They are aiming to provide fresh fruit and veg for the Downtown set that aren't able to make it to the massive markets in Santa Monica and Hollywood on the weekend. Although there are other markets in Downtown, like the Thursday City Hall and Historic Core markets, this directly serves the up-and-coming Arts District community. Urban Radish will have a similar aim, but will not open until 2013.
This week's goods include Coleman Farms greens, eggs and chickens from Willy's, Maggie's Farm for herbs, Windrose Farms, and of course melons and heirloom potatoes from Wieser Family Farms. The duo is also picking up a special rogue shipment along the highway from The Garden of .... Farm in Los Olivos, who will be handing off two different varieties of lettuce, yellow starship squash, green pattypans, young Italian basil, and decorative flowers.
"Our goal is to keep it as close to farmers' market prices as possible," says Sadhal.
The produce is laid out on Handsome Roasters' custom bar space in custom-made wooden boxes made from reclaimed wood, adding to the space's already ultra-hip look.
The Produce Project will be popping up today, and every Wednesday til further notice, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Their website is still under construction, so the best way to find them is via their Facebook page.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzOTZweCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist