Where's the Soup? No One—Not One Person—Asked for Soup Refunds at the Studio City Farmers Market

Earlier this month, the state's Department of Public Health that two brands of soup served at local farmers markets may have been improperly processed and could cause illness. In no uncertain terms, the California Health Department urged: throw it away!

The Studio City Farmers Market was mentioned by name, as well as the popular Organic Soup Kitchen, based in Santa Barbara. 

Within the week, the Studio City Farmers Market—which is jointly run by the Studio City Chamber of Commerce and the Studio City Residents Association—and encouraged "any customer who wishes to return soup purchased at the Studio City Farmers Market from Organic Soup Kitchen should bring it to the Market on Sunday and the market manager will be happy to issue a full refund."

Nobody took them up on the offer. In fact, people asked where the soup vendor was, and when the Organic Soup Kitchen would return.

"No one asked for their money back, although a few people asked why Organic Soup Kitchen wasn't there and when they were coming back," according to Esther Walker, executive director of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce.

The Organic Soup Kitchen plans to return as soon as the proper paperwork is in place with the California Department of Public Health. The state health department told the nonprofit group to stop selling their product because they do not have state processing and cannery permits, something organic Soup Kitchen was not made aware of that they needed until just before the suggested recall. These permits will add another level of inspection to the stringent guidelines Organic Soup Kitchen already follows in their commercial kitchen, according to the Studio City Farmers Market.

"Organic Soup Kitchen has all the necessary county health permits, and as is standard practice, their commercial kitchen is inspected by the county health department on a regular basis," according to the market. "Organic Soup Kitchen has notified the Studio City Farmers Market that they are in the process of complying with the mandatory California Department of Public Health’s requirements."

“We adhere to the highest standards in the making and packaging of our soups,” said Anthony Carroccio, founder and director of Organic Soup Kitchen. “We go above and beyond health department guidelines and welcome any additional inspections the state wants to throw our way.”

Meanwhile, there is no report of anyone getting sick from eating the soup. In fact, many people comment on Studio City Patch said they ate the soup without incident—and some still have some and plan to eat it.

Bottom line: Any soup, or any other product, is safe for the purchase when you go to the Studio City Farmers Market on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, don't forget to buy your fireworks tickets!

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