Written by Brittany Kleinman: By Brittany Kleinman: Twenty years in the making, the Wednesday Market in Santa Monica, California is widely recognized as the leading Grower-Only Certified Farmers Market in the state. An estimated nine thousand shoppers come every Wednesday to explore the agricultural treasure chest.

As a California native I have grown up going to the Santa Monica Market and so I decided to go back and speak with a few of the farmers that give this market its true flavor. Walking down the main stretch, I passed award winning goat cheese, fresh artisan breads, organic oranges, and even walnut grilled corn but it was the yellow tent of Holy Guaca-Moly that caught my eye. As I approached, a plump serving of guacamole was handed to me on a bit sized tortilla chip. My taste buds quickly realized why this guacamole has been voted #1 in California for over 8 years. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Every Wednesday for the past 18 years, George Bamber drives two hours each way to set up his shop of Holy Guaca-Moly. George didn’t start out as an Avocado farmer. It began with a few trees in his backyard and the need to pay for his bypass surgery in 1986. Out of compassion, the market manager, Laura Avery granted George a temporary spot at the Santa Monica Market. He’s been there ever since and now pushes 500-600 pounds of avocados in one day.

By his side are three talented individuals that come every week to give Holy Guaca-Moly its sense old-fashioned generosity and personal charm. The team includes the daughter of the women who first taught George how to make guacamole and two dedicated homeless people with a united passion for enriching their community. Currently George looks to expand the general knowledge of the avocado world by writing a book entitled The Perfect Avocado. He explains that in his twenty years of growing the one thing he knows for sure is that, “There is no such avocado, only some that are more perfect than others.”

Holy Guaca-Moly is only one note that gives this market its rhythm. Whether you want to grab a bite, pick up some groceries or say hi to George and his team, stop by every Wednesday from 8:30-1:30 to experience the Santa Monica Farmers Market.

Below are a few more pictures from the Wednesday Market

Market Details:

Wednesday Market
Santa Monica, California
on Arizona @ 2nd street
Open: 8:30-1:30, Year round, rain or shine

Writer/Photographer, Brittany Kleinman writes our weekly column on market culture. Read more about Brittany and her work at Avo: Market.

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