The Original Farmers Market has been a favorite L.A. grocery store since 1934.
But making time to shop there, with its green grocery carts, independent merchants, and beer and dining opportunities, isn’t always easy. As a convenience, the market has teamed up with Mercato to offer Los Angeles-area residents within a 16-mile radius (for now) same-day doorstep delivery of groceries and prepared foods.
“The days of people doing their shopping in a leisurely fashion is not realistic for a lot of people anymore, and we realize that,” said Ilysha Buss, director of marketing for the Original Farmers Market. “Offering delivery, especially for working parents and families, made sense.”
Eleven of the Original Farmers Market’s family-owned and operated merchants are participating in the launch, with still more to come. Offerings include handmade sausages from Huntington Meats, fancy cheeses from Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market, and baked goods from Michelina Artisan Boulanger.
In addition to these and other merchants, online shoppers can order prepared foods and deli cuts from Magee’s Kitchen.
Mercato.com batches orders from one or multiple grocers, retailers, and restaurants into single deliveries made in as little as two hours time, with delivery fees varying from Redondo Beach to Encino to South Pasadena.
“It just depends,” Buss said. “That’s the cool thing about the market being in the middle of L.A. In 16 miles; you’re well beyond downtown.”