A file photo of the San Gabriel Farmers Market, April 2024 (File Photo – Staff)
San Gabriel’s City Council approved a $20,000 marketing allocation for the Farmers’ Market operation with Farm and Craft Inc., and recognized the winners of the city’s inaugural photography contest during their latest meeting.
By Zamourad Iqbal
Economic Development Manager Karen Ko presented appropriation bills totaling $20,000 to support equipment rental, advertising, and marketing for the farmers’ market partnership with Farm and Craft.
Ko spoke about past efforts to sustain the farmers’ market and emphasized the demand from local residents.
“The city has made multiple efforts to bring back a successful farmers market, but challenges with attendance, vendor retention, and operator feasibility continue to be key factors,” Ko said. “San Gabriel residents want fresh, local produce, artisanal goods, and seek direct connections with farmers and makers. Reestablishing a farmers’ market meets this demand, supports small businesses, and builds a community.”
According to Ko, the city issued a proposal to nine operators and received a bid from Farm and Craft.
Councilmember John Wu raised questions about the $10,000 marketing allocation and how the vendor plans to handle social media promotion.
“I just want to verify one more time if any representative from the farm and the craft market for the $10,000 marketing, which includes the banner size and also the giveaway things,” Wu said. “I have browsed the social media and I noticed that they are doing so well. I want to know if the part of the marketing costs will go there.”
Ko clarified that the vendor’s own social media advertising is not included in the city’s marketing budget.
“From my understanding, for the social media advertising that would be on the city’s platform,” Ko said. “They will be doing their own marketing efforts on their own expense.”
The farmers’ market is expected to launch in March 2026.
San Gabriel photography Contest
The first-ever San Gabriel photography contest drew impressive submissions, with 42 entries and a total of 300 photographs. Mayor Denise Menchaca remarked on the historic nature of the contest, acknowledging the effort and creativity behind the entries.
“I want to let everyone know that this is historic because it’s the first time we’ve ever done it,” Menchaca said. “I know there was a lot of work, and I’m just so happy I wasn’t one of the judges because that was really a difficult task.”
As the farmers’ market prepares for its launch in March 2026, residents can expect a fresh, community-driven destination for local produce and artisanal goods. The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, where further updates on city projects will be discussed
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