By Mary O’KEEFE

At this month’s Montrose Shopping Park Association meeting there was a lively and, at times, emotional discussion on the future of food available for sale at Sunday’s Harvest Market.

There was a discussion of allowing food vendors to return who serve food that is more than just a “grab and go” type of service. Pre-pandemic the Harvest Market had tables where visitors to the market could sit and eat after ordering food from vendors. Since the market’s reopening after COVID-19 closures, there have only been booths that sold vegetables and fruits.

Since reopening with vendors who only sold vegetables and fruits, without sit-down food vendors, nearby brick-and-mortar restaurants report an increase in customers. Small business restaurant owners have welcomed the increase, especially after enduring the pandemic restrictions.

“The [Harvest] Market is doing a methodical and slow roll-out for cooked foods that are ‘festival’/hand-held foods,” said Victoria Malone, Marketplace manager.

Los Angeles County Health Dept. requires a designated seating area for plated food.

“We have determined, with all the variables, to bring back cooked foods that fall [within] the category that suits the LACHD and allows for the Market to do so safely and mindfully,” Malone added.