Farmers’ Market Plan Advances

A new farmers’ market could be up and running in Moorpark in time for the summer harvest.

The Moorpark City Council voted Wednesday to work out a plan for the open-air market, which would be held every Saturday afternoon at the downtown Metrolink station.

The council had abandoned a similar proposal two years ago after a hail of criticism from downtown merchants, who feared the farmers’ market would hurt their businesses.

But after reviewing a recent survey of merchants that showed support for the idea, the City Council decided it was time to try again, Councilman Bernardo Perez said.

The city still has to work out a contract with a coordinator who will set up the market, attracting farmers and securing the proper insurance and permits.

City officials expect to bring in about 30 vendors and hope the market will attract more people to the city’s historic downtown.

One of the items still being worked out is a possible profit-sharing plan that would allow the city to reap some of the benefits of having the downtown farmers’ market.

That money could, in turn, be spent to revitalize the downtown, officials said.