Original Farmers Market To Open LAX Location

As airports around the world become more and more like malls, there is a correspondingly greater focus on the food offered at these temples of mixed-use commercialism.

Our own airport, LAX, has remained shockingly behind the times in this regard, giving first-time visitors a vision of Los Angeles that doesn't ring true. Try as the airport might to convince people otherwise, Angelenos don't survive on reheated carbs alone.

The airport is taking small, slow steps in the right direction, though it's terminal-by-terminal progress. We recently listed our favorite restaurants at LAX, and though Umami Burger is in the international terminal, in others, Starbucks is one of the more viable options.

Last March, when we learned of the new edible garden at Chicago's O'Hare airport, we asked LAX officials if they had any similar plans. Their response: "We do not currently have plans for an urban garden there."

They have apparently loosened up since then. There still isn't a garden, but, there will be fresh produce available.

The Original Farmers Market will be opening a satellite location in an old duty-free shop in Terminal 5 in the spring. According to Ilysha Buss, the market's marketing director, there will be a mix of permanent and rotating vendors on-site. Among the permanent installations are Loteria Grill (with a full bar), Monsieur Marcel (which will serve wine), and a stand called Farmers Market To Go, which will serve items like sandwiches made with bread from the bakeries and meat from the butchers at the market. Dotted amongst the restaurant stands will be bins full of treats like ice cream bars from Bennett's Ice Cream and nuts from Magee's, as well as fruits and vegetables.

The vendor list hasn't been finalized, but this seems like a good start for an airport that has finally realized it's in a food town.