Zero Waste is Coming to the Pico Farmers Market!:

May 2, 2009 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Pico Farmers Market at Virginia Avenue Park (Pico and Cloverfield). Our goal is to offer fresh locally grown produce, healthy prepared foods and now, zero waste. Beginning in May, the Pico Farmers Market at Virginia Avenue Park will institute a new collection regime for all market related waste which includes the added feature of organics collection – or the ability to collect compostable waste. Now all the unwanted food related waste, such as food soiled plates, utensils, cups, and napkins can be composted at one of four new “waste stations” that will be installed each Saturday. Each station will have a compost bin (food related waste) and a recycling bin (cans, bottles, and clean cardboard/paper). To make this possible, prepared food vendors at the Market will serve food in compostable packaging and cutlery made from corn, sugar cane and paper. Patrons can “pack out” any non-compostable or non-recyclable items they bring in. Volunteers from Sustainable Works will be onsite to assist shoppers during the transition. Please join us for the Zero Waste launch, another Farmers’ Market commitment to a sustainable community: May 2, 2009 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Pico Farmers Market at Virginia Avenue Park (Pico and Cloverfield)If you would like to volunteer with the Zero Waste efforts at the Pico Farmers Market please contact Darra Adler at darra.adler@smgov.netSPECIAL EVENT LIBRARY PANEL: Join us for the next Santa Monica Farmers Market Library Panel: Lawns to Lunches Planting Your Yard for Flavor and Beauty on Thursday May 14 from 7 – 9 pm at the Santa Monica Main Library MLK Auditorium. Due to the popularity of the November 2008 landscaping panel, join us in continuing the conversation with an emphasis on the City of Santa Monica’s efforts to assist residents in switching from grass to gardens. Panelists include farmers Jimmy and Logan Williams of Hayground Organics; Russell Ackerman Landscape Consultant, City of Santa Monica Office of Sustainability and the Environment; Landscape Designer Nancy Cipes of Organic Edible Gardens; and Chef Sal Marino of Il Grano. Stay afterward for treats prepared by Chef Marino. Seating in the MLK Auditorium is limited and available on a first arrival basis. Overflow seating available in the second floor multipurpose room. Doors open at 6:45 and lecture begins promptly at 7:00. This event is free and open to the public.