Following Lift of Meat Ban, New Vendors Come to Farmers Market

Under new management, the Imperial Beach Certified Farmers Market now serves meat, and has a variety of new vendors.

New items that will soon be available include fresh pasta, nut butters, salts, roasted peppers and possibly fish tacos on Friday, said manager Brian Beevers. Ceviche has also been added and more green leaf vegetables may be added.

Market hours will also change to 2-6 p.m. within the next few weeks as the sun begins to set earlier.

One of the market's new vendors is Rose Cottage Fruits.

After a career in construction, Dennis Exline and his wife Roxanne Kelley began to farm on their land in National City, picking encouragement from Beevers and lessons from a farmer in Fallbrook.

"God, I volunteered for the farmer for six months before he actually let me work for him," Ekline said.

Two years ago they started selling produce, meat and eggs at Farmers Market, but in order to operate year round, the couple use supplies from other farmers.

Produce and meat come from farms with high standards in Fallbrook and Lake Elsinore respectively, Ekline said.

Apricots, peaches, avocados and other produce are not deemed organic by federal standards but no pesticides are used to help them grow.

Chicken, beef, pork and other meats are free-range and hormone free.

Buffalo, rabbit, pheasant and quail must be ordered online.