The Corona Del Mar Farmers Market in Newport Beach could look a lot different after next month when a new operator takes over.  

The market, known for its fresh produce and community feel, has been a constant in the lives of many locals. Some residents, like Morgan March, fear the new vendors will change the way the market operates.

In an April 5 email to the city council, March emphasized that the new operator could change the farmers market to become more like a swap meet, altering the market’s long-held tradition.

“It’s more than just a weekend activity; it’s a living, breathing part of our community,” March wrote.

“The vendors know our names. They care about our families. They provide fresh, healthy, local goods and create a space where neighbors connect and community thrives.”

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During a meeting on April 15, Newport Beach City Council members voted 5-2 to grant a licensing agreement with the new operator for the Corona del Mar Farmers Market, which includes a 30-day termination period. Councilmembers Erik Weigand and Robyn Grant voted against the item.

The council received hundreds of emailed public comments about the market ahead of the April 15 meeting. The majority of written comments did not support the change to a new operator.

“The present setup provides a nice balance of products, a relaxed atmosphere and has remained true to the ‘farm to table’ concept,” resident Dan Sims wrote in an April 2 email to the council. “The addition of food trucks, clothing and novelty stalls or other attractions will degrade the essential value and charm of the farmers market.”

The current operator, Rick Heil, has spent nearly 30 years managing the farmers market. 

However, his current agreement for the space located on city-owned property is set to expire on June 30.

In August 2024, Newport Beach city officials opened bids to find a new operator for Corona del Mar’s Farmers Market, leading them to a five-year agreement with Heritage Wellness Collective. 

Heritage Wellness Collective, a non-profit organization focused on promoting health and well-being, aims to provide residents with a variety of new options at the market. The plan includes pre-packaged meals, food trucks and activities like arts and crafts.

Weigand voted against the change because he worries that there will not be enough space for parking on-site due to the increase in vendors.

“It is a little problematic that we don’t truly have an answer on parking,” Weigand said. “I am happy moving forward, but I think that parking is a concern if we are doubling the vendors and having them not park at the current location.” 

While many Newport Beach residents urged city officials to reinstate their agreement with current operator Heil, others feel as though a change is necessary. 

“I have spent many Saturday mornings at the farmers market,” Newport Beach resident Tammi Belcher wrote in a Feb. 6 email to the city council. 

“However, as a conscious consumer, I will say that I fully support a refresh of the market. Its location and time are ideal however the selection and set up is less desirable to an avid farmers market consumer.”

Councilmember Sara J. Weber echoed a similar sentiment, sharing her support for a refreshed farmers market. 

“I am fully supportive of a refresh and reinvigorating the Corona del Mar Farmers Market. I truly believe this is a positive step toward enhancing the experience for the entire community,” Weber said at the April 15 council meeting.

“It is extremely important that we continue evolving our community spaces to make sure that every resident feels connected to something local and vibrant.” 

Councilmember Noah Blom also supported the change.

“We run through the process because it’s what is in the best interest of the community,” Blom said at the meeting. “What I think most of you want are the best eggs, you want really great produce, and you want possibly a market that you guys still feel the same way about.” 

Blom addresses the community’s concerns over hiring a new operator, however, he explains that with Heil’s current agreement coming to an end, the council has a duty to select an applicant who best meets the city’s needs.

In an attempt to address the community’s concerns, the council included a 30-day termination period within the new agreement. If Heritage Wellness Collective does not meet the needs of the residents, the city council has vowed to reassess the operator. 

“We have had robust community dialogue on this, and we have had a lot of opinions expressed in favor of the current market as well as how the market could be improved,” Councilmember Grant said at the meeting. 

“What’s important is that this is an opportunity for us to engage with the community. We should have had a better outreach from the very beginning. It would have avoided a lot of what we were looking at today.” 

Some residents remain concerned that the new operator will change the farmers market entirely.

“To reduce this cherished market to a ‘swap meet’ would be a disservice to everything it represents,” March wrote. “It’s not just a market, it’s a tradition, a gathering place, and one of the last true reflections of the (market) many of us grew up with.”

This story was updated to reflect a 5-2 vote from the April 15 council meeting. During that meeting, the vote was incorrectly stated and subsequently corrected in the meeting minutes to include the 5-2 vote.