Big news in Ontario

As part of the HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) initiative the city of Ontario in partnership with HDV is planning to bring a farmers market to communities in the HEAL zone very soon. This is exciting news for the city but even more so to HdV since the farmers market will be at Bon View Park, which is extremely close to the garden- giving market goers another opportunity to really embody what HEAL is all about. The city of Ontario and HDV have been working with Heritage Farmers Market who already have markets in Rancho Cucamonga and Compton to lead the way. HdV first introduced Heritage Farmers Market into the mix February at the HEAL zone kick off. Since then we have been constructing a solid relationship (and friendship) with the organization. Recently the Heritage group had a chance to sit with HdV members and discuss different strategies that they thought would make the upcoming Farmers Market a success. Community members were unanimous in three suggestions 1. Make it an event the WHOLE family can enjoy- serve food, have music, maybe even a jumper; 2. Remember that pricing is a key factor- keep prices reasonable/ affordable. This could mean working with farmers who are not organic certified, but are committed to organic practices; and 3. Have cooking demonstration and information about the food so that the market is a learning experience. The Farmers Market, or should we say “Community Market,” is planned to start in March 2014. We will post more information as it comes in.