MAR VISTA, Calif. – For 13 years the Mar Vista Farmers Market has been a popular place for Angelenos and a good source of locally-grown, fresh foods, but a recent spike in homeless individuals camping in the area has raised concerns about safety and cleanliness.

Originally opened in 2006 with just 13 vendor booths, the market now boasts close to 100 vendors and is part of SoCal’s thriving farmer’s market scene. There are over 120 markets in L.A. County and 800 throughout the state of California.

Diana Rodgers, who has managed the market for most of its 13 years, says farmer’s markets are great community builders.

“We have the opportunity to have [farmers] come right to us in these small neighborhood markets, and to meet the farmer and know where our food is coming from,” said Rodgers. “It's a really nice thing for families and small businesses.”

Like many neighborhoods in L.A., Mar Vista has seen growing numbers of homeless individuals camping on the sidewalks, including the market site, which serves about 8,000 people every Sunday.

“We got an influx really fast a couple of weeks ago,” Rodgers said. “We had a relationship going with the few [homeless individuals] that were here before where we would let them know when the market’s coming in, and please go, and we'll clean up.”

The sudden increase in camping on the site did raise concerns about hygiene, but Rodgers says the market has been working with city officials, the community, and cleanup crews to make sure it continues to operate safely and meet regulations.

“I've been seeing a lot of action around it for the last month or so,” said Rodgers. “They were able to build some homeless task force teams. We had sanitation coming once a week and then they stepped it up to twice a week, and police support. So, there's been a whole attention to this site.”

The market has become an important part of life for many in the community including Christy Wilhelmi who has been shopping there for many years.

“Folks who run this market have done a really great job of being sensitive to the homeless individuals as well as making sure that they've moved them out of the area before the market starts,” said Wilhelmi. “To me, this is the best farmer’s market.”

Rodgers said, despite some overly negative reports in the media about the homeless encampment’s impact on the market, she is very happy with the job crews have done with clearing and sanitizing the area.

“I'm feeling very good,” said Rodgers. “We have this thing so clean and nice and the few people that are left in the area, they move off.”

Although many farmers markets don't survive over the years, Rodgers says the Mar Vista Farmer’s Market is thriving and will continue to be an important part of the community.