Valley Farm Market At Last
- Betty Wheeler | Seaview Avenue
The January 10 grand opening of Valley Farm Market brought Del Mar’s 13-year “grocery drought” to an end with a flourish.
From the seafood and meat counter to the vibrant selection of organic produce, it’s evident that what’s on offer is expertly curated. The store is not large enough to stock 100 kinds of bread, but what it offers is well-chosen. The salmon is from Faroe Islands; tuna poke is house-cut and marinated, as are the beef and chicken. While some produce is in the now-ubiquitous plastic clamshells, there are many fruits and vegetables you can individually select, and bypass the plastic altogether.
Owner Derek Marso’s grandparents launched Valley Farm Market in 1956 in Spring Valley. He’s now a third generation owner — and a butcher (and a former KSU defensive end). You get the sense that three generations of “market knowledge” are reflected everywhere in the new Del Mar store. Local sources are strongly represented on the shelves, as are specialty products. The wine selection is good, and there are prepared foods in hot and cold cases if you’re not in the mood to cook. The Market’s “sister” business, High Marea Coastal Turf + Surf, also opened next door on January 10 and did brisk business on its first day.
For the first time in 13 years, Del Martians don’t have to leave town to buy groceries. After Harvest Ranch Market closed in 2012, the Plaza struggled for years with indifferent, absentee owners and other indignities. Current owners Patty and Marc Brutten have worked hard to restore luster and vibrancy to the Plaza, including resident-serving businesses like Camino Books. Patty, in particular, has spent years getting a market back to the Plaza for the benefit of the community. This is our chance to have a market we can walk to, with interesting, high-quality food and friendly workers. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, “A market, if you can keep it.” Let’s make this one succeed.