On Thursdays around noon, the farmers market outside City Hall downtown swarms with local cubicle denizens eager for a breath of fresh air. And lunch. How about a pupusa, tamale or spring roll? Empanadas, crepes or kettle corn? While a handful of vendors sell fruits, vegetables and flowers, many specialize in prepared food and snacks — perfect for office workers on a lunch break. Several other weekday farmers markets downtown are similar. This Sunday, a market will debut in downtown's Historic Core that caters not to weekday lunchers but to local residents. A block of Fifth Street between Spring and Broadway will host a variety of vendors each week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The market aims “to promote healthy eating by offering farm-fresh produce, local bakery items and prepared foods for the Historic Downtown community,” says Howell Tumlin of the Southland Farmers Market Association in an email. The SFMA, which oversees the celebrated Santa Monica and Hollywood markets among many others, is running the market in collaboration with the Historic Downtown Los Angeles Business Improvement District.

At the moment, the market features 19 vendors. (See full list below.) You'll find four vegetable farms and five fruit sellers, along with Diana's Bakery — offering mini Mexican breads — and Homeboy Bakery. Also expect vendors selling honey, nuts, juice, almond-based dips, hummus and pita bread (sample alert!), and grass-fed beef (from Novy Ranch, known for “off” cuts such as oxtail, beef cheeks, tongue, heart and liver). Two florists will be on hand, too, including an orchid seller. Expect live music as well.

Historic Core Farmers Market Vendors:

Aroma Orchids (orchids)

Arriaga Flowers (flowers)

Atkins Nursery (citrus)

Conscious Foods (almond-based dips)

Denny's Organic (vegetables)

Diana's Bakery (mini-bread)

E & M Family Farm (tomatoes/mushrooms)

Etheridge Farm (organic citrus and juices)

F T Fresh Produce (Asian vegetables)

Flor de Lima (juices prepared onsite)

Fruita del Sol (organic fruit)

Gaytan Family Farm (vegetables)

Homeboy Bakery (bread)

Jonas Bees (honey)

Mom's Specialties (hummus)

Murray Farm (fruit)

Novy Ranch (grass-fed beef)

Ruben Nuts (pre-packed nuts)

Santiago's (berries)

Downtown Farmers Markets:

Pershing Square: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesdays

City Hall East on Main Street: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursdays

Figueroa and Seventh: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursdays

Bank of America Plaza (333 S. Hope St.): 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fridays

Fifth Street between Spring and Broadway: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sundays

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