A fresh face has come to the Studio City Farmers Market—Bret Nighman is its new manager.
Taking over the job a few weeks ago, Nighman replaced Melody Dosch, who "went on to pursue other interests and we wish her well," said Esther Walker, executive director of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce. The chamber and the Studio City Residents Association co-run the farmers market under a separate board.
Born in Ohio, Nighman grew up in Santa Barbara in a family of four boys. He always loved food. At 10, he helped his mother with her catering business, and by 13 he was working in the kitchen and preparing fresh food at the La Casa De Maria Retreat Center in Montecito.
He received a political science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. For four years, Nighman worked as Santa Barbara's assistant to the mayor and then moved to Los Angeles to work at UCLA, where he served in Government and Community Relations, then as Administrative Director of University Communications, and the Chief Administrative Officer of the Political Science Department.
He worked as a prolific young actor in his teens and 20s—performing in a variety of stage and television roles—most notably on Jack Klugman's TV show Quincy. M.E.
He studied and traveled through London, Japan and China and in 2009 he began to study fitness and nutrition as preventative medicine and to promote an overall healthy lifestyle. The Santa Monica resident said he has a passion for buying local and supporting community-based programs has led him to frequent several Southern California farmers markets.
"I've always loved Studio City, and I love this farmers market," Nighman told Studio City Patch. "The people here are wonderful."
Over the past few weeks, he has brought in different vendors such as The Good Cookes ( thegoodcookies.com) which are gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free and casein-free.
Said Nighman, "Their muffins are so moist and delicious that it's hard to believe that they are vegan and dairy free."
Also new to the market at Jumpees, which hang from the ceiling using a thin spring and they will bounce by just tapping them. They are cute and affordable at $19.99 each. (http://www.jumpees.com).
New to the market is also the Secret Squirrel Cold Brew Coffee, selling the smoothest, most delectable cup of amazing coffee. Check out their website at www.secretsquirrelcoldbrew.com.
Another new favorite is Domenicos Artisanal Foods, offering pestos, tapenades, fruit compotes, confit, stuffed peppers, sauces, fresh pasta and, of course, Domenico’s Pomodori Secchi, Domenico’s renowned marinated sun dried tomatoes. Domenico’s ever-expanding product line has been called “addictive” by Bon Appétit Magazine! Try their delicious food and you'll be hooked too! Visit their web site http:// www.domenicosfoods.com/Like .
They also partnered with Food Forward and 30 farmers from the Studio City Farmers Market have donated 4,152 pounds of produce, which in turn has been delivered to local food pantries. This translates to more than 6,000 people being fed. Nighman said, "If you have an overabundance of fruit and or vegetables in your yard, contact Food Forward and see how you too can make a difference." See: www.foodforward.org
There are new kinds of vendors too: Red Stone Minerals, selling beautiful and affordable fossils, minerals, crystals and rocks and Iris with Balloons you Love as well as Ace Ranch which is bringing avocadoes from Escondido.
Join in the conversation on the Studio City Farmers Market Facebook page by clicking here.
Also, Nighman will be posting on Studio City Patch a regular blog about what's going on at the Studio City Farmers Market and tell us what to look out for, as well as offer some recipes. See his first entry posted this week (CLICK HERE!)
You can contact Bret at: manager@studiocityfarmersmarket.com or 818-655-7744, or stop by the manager’s table on Sundays to say "hi."
