The Santa Monica Farmers Market 2009 Quarterly Panel Series “Where the good things are growing; Buying and Cooking the Best in California,” will meet this Thursday, 7 - 9 p.m.

Restaurants, produce buyers and farmers market patrons are pressuring farmers to increase production.

Can, or will the farmers meet the demand?

In Econ 1, Microeconomics, the solution to the problem facing local farmers at the Santa Monica Farmers Market is strictly mathematical. If there is an increase in demand, supplies will decrease and prices will rise. Eventually the market will determine where price and quantity demanded will reach equilibrium.

Who wouldn't want to make more money if they could?

Laura Avery, Wednesday Market Manager, understands the farmer's dilemma. There is a vast demand for locally grown vegetables, produce, nuts, spices and other product sold by farmers at the Santa Monica Farmers Market. The restaurants, long time customers of the farmers, need these products to meet the demand of their customers. The nationwide wholesale buyers want everything the farmers want to part with. The consumers, many of which are life-time supporters of the farmers market, what their fair share too.

So, how does the farmer meet the demand? Land is finite. Banks are not lending even if the farmers want to plant more acreage. Moreover, many of the farmers do not want to expand because expansion costs a lot of money. Equipment, land and labor are not cheap. In addition, what if a farmer increases his expenses to expand and the crop is ruined due to weather, insect infestation, drought, or other natural disasters? What if demand decreases and he is stuck with product he cannot sell? He or she would lose everything, and for what; a small increase in profits with exponentially increased risk?

Known as "The Great Freeze of 2007," a late cold front brought freezing temperatures to southern California and crops were utterly ruined. Some farmers salvaged up to 20 percent of their crop. Most lost it all.

In response, Santa Monica restaurants Lucques, AOC, The Hungry Cat, Hatfield's, Canele, Grace, AXE, Jar, Silverlake Wine, Border Grill, Ammo, Inn of the Seventh Ray, Angeli, Beacon, Joe's, Pizzeria Mozza, The Little Door, Ford's Filling Station, Tiara Cafe, Firefly and Pace sponsored and held "The Freeze Relief Dinners" to help the farmers hurt by natural forces.

In this March 2007 fundraiser, these restaurants raised many thousands of dollars, one dinner plate at a time, to help offset labor costs, mortgage payments, and other expenses for the farmers that lost all or most of their crop.

Consequently, the most vexing problem farmers face is perhaps one of conscience. Over the years, a synergy and camaraderie has developed between the farmers and their customers.

These are complex issues and they will be discussed by an extraordinary panel of farmers, buyers and restaurateurs this Thursday night at the Santa Monica Public Library.

The event will be moderated by Evan Kleiman. Kleinman is the chef and owner of Angeli Caffe and is also hosts the Saturday morning talk show "Good Food" aired on KCRW.

KCRW radio is a community service of Santa Monica College.

The panel will include Alex Weiser of the Weiser Family Farm, a leading producer of a wide range of products. It is uncertain at this time if Mike Cirone of Cirone Farms, another outstanding farmer, will be able to attend.

Representing produce buyers is Karen Beverlin of Fresh Point Produce, the largest food service distributor of fresh produce in the United States.

The panel's restaurant representative is Chef Michael Cimarusti of Providence Restaurant. Cimarusti formerly worked with "celebrity chefs Roger Vergé and Paul Bocuse at the famed Le Cirque restaurant [New York]," according to starchefs.com.

Chef Cimarusti will serve "market treats" after the discussion.

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held from 7 - 9 p.m. at Santa Monica Public Library in the MLK Jr. Auditorium located at 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

For more information call (310) 458-8600 or visit www.smpl.org or www.farmersmarket.smgov.net.