So many things to do at the Hillcrest Farmers Market.

The Hillcrest Farmers Market is buzzing with activities this and every weekend. There have always been a morning’s worth of super things to do at the market, but these days there is so much more. As always there are over one hundred and twenty food and crafts vendors to visit, selling everything from fruit and veggies to orchids and gyros. Then, every week, the Seventh Day Buskers take to the stage singing their unique mix of bluegrass and roots music. Face painting for the kids is always a “must do” at the market. The face painter is located at the south end of the market.

Each month there are new things happening at the market too. Last weekend, for example, the market hosted holiday ornament painting. Over fifty kids, young and old, decorated a range of ornaments. The market provided the ornaments and materials and patrons provided the creativity. In October the market provided materials for Halloween pumpkin decorating.

In the new year the market will feature a visiting chef series. Chefs from local businesses will provide tips for shopping at the market and will provide live demonstrations of their favorite tasty treats. Visiting chef Jeff Rossman from Terra restaurant will visit on January 24th, with a tour of the market at 10am and demonstration at noon. Also, save the date for an Easter egg hunt on April 24th! Keep an eye out for the many upcoming wonderful upcoming things at the Hillcrest Farmers Market.

Special Guest Vendor: BottleHood

BottleHood was created out of a passion to help our environment, create local jobs and stimulate our local retail economy. BottleHood has taken a stand on keeping bottles which have no California Redemption Value (CRV) out of California’s landfills. In the process, BottleHood produces a line of uniquely handcrafted tumblers and vases made from bottles whose contents were enjoyed in our neighborhood. They hire for local crafts people, who share their concerns for the environment and the economy, to produce their line of glassware.

BottleHood has partnered with Recon Recycle in order to secure a consistent flow of bottles from which to create its line of glassware. The bottles are crafted into vases, votives and tumblers in their workshop at home in Crest with the help of several local crafts people.

“I’ve been reusing, recycling and repurposing for most of my life. As time goes by I see more and more of waste created by overproduction and non-sensible consumer packaging and the trend to follow fickle consumer tastes. Through art and design I’ve learned how to use materials in new and different ways and through discards, I have learned there may be a new purpose for something before quickly disposing of it into our landfills. I’m hoping through BottleHood communities will increase their awareness of our limited natural resources and be inspired to recreate. Inspiration is all about us.”

BottleHood goods are sold in local farmers markets, art and wine festivals, local retailers and online. Since they are a visiting booth at the market, keep an eye out each week for the return of Bottlehood and their environmentally conscious products!

PO Box 600302
San Diego CA 92160-0302
619.599.8855 www.bottlehood.com

The Halloween Event in Review

The first annual Hillcrest Farmers Market Halloween event was a great success! The information booth was packed with kids who were ready to pick out their own pumpkin and decorate them as they pleased. It was great to see the parents get involved and share the holiday experience with their children, who were having a fun time letting their creative juices run wild.

After the pumpkins were painted and decorated the kids had the opportunity to walk the market and trick or treat our vendors. Everyone was pleased with the event and we are excited to host the next holiday event, which will be held on December 13, where we will be decorating holiday ornaments. We wanted to thank everyone who attended and we hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please e-mail us at info@fabuloushillcrest.com and check out our website for more information www.fabuloushillcrest.com!

Halloween at the Hillcrest Farmers Market!

FREE Pumpkin Decorating Festivities at the Hillcrest Farmers Market!

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Looking to celebrate the spirit of Halloween a little bit early this year? Join us in your creepiest, most creative costumes on October 25 at the Hillcrest Farmers Market to paint and decorate your own fabulous pumpkin! We will have mini pumpkins, glitter, stickers and many other supplies available to help get the community into the Halloween Spirit!
In addition to their regular products available every week, our vendors will be distributing ghoulish goodies to all of the little trick or treat-ers out there. These free frightening festivities will begin at 10am and will take place at the information booth, which is located at the North end of the market in the DMV parking lot.
For more information, please visit www.fabuloushillcrest.com or call 619-299-3330.

JR Organics

Farmers Market Vendor Feature: J.R. Organics
www.jrorganicsfarm.com
J.R. Organics: 31030 Rodriguez Road Escondido, CA 92026

On any given Sunday at the Hillcrest Farmers Market, Joe Rodriguez Jr. can be found directly across from the musical performers, smiling and conversing with regular customers as they happily peruse through the wide array of fresh, organic produce. Joe’s company, J.R. Organics is a certified (CCOF) organic vegetable farm started by the Rodriguez family in the early 1950s that consistently has over 45 different vegetables being grown, as well as strawberries, melons, and a variety of fresh flowers.

J.R. Organics is a family run business staffed by Joe himself, his father (Joe Sr.), his mother, brothers, nephews, nieces and even his own children. The family now participates in 10 different Farmers Markets, and gathers once a week to discuss logistics and decide who will go where.

J.R. Organics is a row-crop operation meaning that everything is seasonal and therefore always fresh. They also use some of the best organic growing techniques available, including crop rotation, green manures, beneficial insects, composting and mulching. They fertilize with worm castings, rock minerals and other organic fertilizers. Joe Jr. is very particular about their farming strategies, stating that “My belief is to create a high quality product with high taste values, and good flavor to keep our customers coming back.”

Joe is one of the original farmers who have happily been with the Hillcrest Farmers Market from day one, “I love to do it- we enjoy being out there, seeing our products grow, taking it to people and seeing them say ‘wow, it can be done beautifully and organically,’” says Joe who also notes that the most rewarding part of this is knowing he is helping to protect our environment and his workers from pesticides, and then seeing people happy and taking a product away that has been grown the right way.

“Get to know your farmers and support your local farmers,” suggests Joe. So instead of your local grocery store, stop by the Hillcrest Farmers Market for the freshest of the fresh, and say hello to Joe right across from the music performers this Sunday and every Sunday!

Fabulous Hillcrest Meetup!

The Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) has just started a Fabulous Hillcrest meetup group! The group is geared toward organizing events and meetups for people who love the urban neighborhood of Hillcrest and are looking for more ways to enjoy it. If you love the Farmers Market, you’re just the kind of person who should be at the Fabulous Hillcrest meetups! Join the group now at: http://www.meetup.com/Fabulous-Hillcrest-Meetup/

The first meetup that has been organized is this Sunday, September 27 at 10:00am, and will take place at the Hillcrest Farmers Market! Please meet at the Information Booth at 10 am to take a tour of the market, meet some of the farmers, and sample some of the fresh produce being sold. As always, the Seventh Day Buskers will be performing live and there will be plenty to see and do! We look forward to seeing you there and don’t forget to join the Meetup group to stay informed about other Hillcrest meetups!

The Hillcrest Farmers Market is at the DMV Parking lot on Lincoln & Normal Streets and is open every Sunday, rain or shine, from 9am-2pm.

Welcome to the Hillcrest Farmers Market Blog!

Did you know that the Hillcrest Farmers Market is regarded as the "Best" Farmers Market in San Diego? If you don't know why, you clearly haven't been to it! This blog will give you the latest news and other additional information on the Hillcrest Farmers Market to keep you up to date and informed.

A little background, the Hillcrest Farmers Market orignially opened on the second Sunday in April 1997. The market originally opened with 35 vendors and now has grown and reached its maximum capacity at the present site of 110 vendors.

Sticking to its roots, the Hillcrest Farmers Market still has the widest selection of friendly farmers selling their freshest produce, fruit, and flowers.
Many of the local and California Farmers participating in the market grow their produce organically or with no pesticides.

You can also find a variety of other specialty farm grown foods ranging from all types of cheese, specially made hummus and dips, salsa, olive oil products, poultry, jams, and pastries. Unique handmade crafts and jewlery are also available, as well as orchids and cactus plants, dog food, dresses, hats, and wine bottle holders! Oh, and don't forget to stop by the hot foods section! Tastes from all over the world can be found there from gourmet Parisian crepes to homemade tamales, peace pies, paninis, coffee, and the best gyros around. There is also live musical performances in the center of the market. So skip your boring grocery store and come to the Hillcrest Farmers Market instead!

The Hillcrest Farmers Market is open every Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm rain or shine and is located at the DMV parking lot at the intersection of Lincoln and Normal streets. Any questions contact market organizer David Larson at 619-237-1632 or email: DRLinBaja@hotmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

-HBA Staff