By Kathy Kottaras
 
Los Angeles is on its way to becoming the Farmers’ Market Capitol of the World. The rallying cry for the future of fresh food accessibility has come from none other than Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who stood on the front lawn of City Hall today to ask farmers, chefs, organizers and consumers to “bring something unique to the table using ingredients from healthy soil and brought into this earth by our local farmers.” Today’s celebration, 30 Years and Growing, was organized to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Gardena market that opened on June 23, 1979 and to praise the more than 120 farmers’ markets that have opened since.  Sponsored by City of Los Angeles/ Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles, The Urban & Environmental Policy Institute of Occidental College, Good magazine, Slow Food LA, The Garden School Foundation and of course, edible Los Angeles, the celebration evoked a proud nod to the past, but even more importantly, an ovation to the future of sustainable and organic food in all regions of Los Angeles.