Good eats and sweet treats highlight City Hall farmers market

The first-ever downtown farmers market at City Hall was a huge success. Turnout was massive for the beautiful day at Hermann Square Plaza, where grocers with local organic produce lined one side of the reflection pool and eateries offering ready-made lunch food lined the other. Radical Eats kept long lines satisfied with their breakfast and black bean tamales while Sinfull Bakery satisfied sweet tooths next door and Green Plum kitchen got people back to their monitors on time with fresh pre-packaged lunches.

The crowd had plenty of suits as well as families, and a few dogs ran around as people shopped and listened to live music coming down from the City Hall steps. Sustainability director Laura Spanjian introduced Mayor Annise Parker and special guest-chefs and all-local foodies Monica Pope, Chris Shepherd and Randy Evans, all of whom helped cut the ribbon along with kids from Whittier Elementary and a contingent of Girl Scouts.

Shoppers were encouraged to tell vendors what they'd like to see, says Urban Harvest's Debbie Laflar. If no one brought eggs this week, for example, they'd be sure to supply them next week if they were demand.

The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday for six weeks, and will continue as long as there's a sustainable turnout. If today was any indication, the market's here to stay — but make sure to visit next week to shop, snack and support.