Shopping with a clear conscience

Molly Shore

The Burbank Farmers’ Market is a virtual horn of plenty these days.

With the fall harvest season in full swing, the outdoor market is

offering an abundance of produce, as well as other food items. And

just in time.

As the grocery strike heads into its first full week, many

shoppers sympathetic to the striking workers’ cause are expected

today at the market, Manager Carolyn Hill said.

“We’re providing something that people who don’t want to cross the

picket line can get -- fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and

pastries, honey, nuts, dried fruit, olive oil, Middle Eastern hummus,

tamales and fresh fish,” Hill said. “Then, of course, we have fresh

flowers and bedding plants.”

Hill said she does not anticipate any shortages of food items.

“This time of year we have a lot of stuff in,” she said. “A lot of

plums and late peaches. The farmers will bring in their regular

load.”

However, she added, the rule of thumb for the Farmers’ Market is

to get there early.

Peggy Pulver, a Burbank resident since 1948, has been shopping at

the market since it started 21 years ago.

“I get all my vegetables and fruits and eggs there,” Pulver said.

“A lady brings them in fresh from the hens.”

Although she said she hasn’t needed anything from the supermarket,

Pulver said she will do her shopping at Trader Joe’s, if what she

needs is not available at Farmers’ Market.

The market’s hours are from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays in the

parking lot at 3rd Street and Orange Grove Avenue.

Proceeds from the market go into a special fund managed by the

Providence St. Joseph Foundation.

The fund serves two purposes, said Randy Mueller, the foundation’s

director of development.

“It provides medical assistance to people who are uninsured or

poorly insured, and it offers lifeline support service for 10 seniors

who might need immediate help if they are taken ill,” Mueller said.