As of late, one of the fastest growing global trends in the affluent world of gastronomy is the farm-to-table culinary movement. Whether it’s innovative and wholesome meals at the finest San Diego restaurants or diverse and healthy offerings at local Farmer’s Markets, our sunny city makes it easy to hop on the trend, engage in a sustainable environment and eat organic food.

One of the most successful and thriving outdoor markets in San Diego is the Little Italy Mercato, held every Saturday from 9am to 1:30pm. Every weekend, more than 100 vendors line Date Street from Kettner to Union and offer downtown residents and visitors everything from farm fresh produce to artisan foods and specialty items. San Diego foodies have the opportunity to peruse through an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, flowers, eggs, cheese, pastured chicken and meat from over twenty-five California farmers; indulge in local chefs’ specialties and desserts; or fawn over the vast purveyor selection of fish, oysters, bread, sauces, olives, pasta, coffee, and pastries.

On Saturday, April 2nd, Little Italy’s celebrated Mercato will play host to the Sustainable Feast, a one-off event sponsored by Stay Classy where San Diego’s top chefs will pair up with local farms to take attendees on a flavorful adventure of the senses. Trustworthy culinary craftsmen will be whipping up and dishing out hearty handcrafted cuisine for attendees to sample and savor. Participating restaurants for the weekend’s foodie event will include Alchemy, The Marine Room, Indigo Grill, Starlite, Stingaree, Stone Brewing, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, and many more.

This exciting free event will also include live music courtesy of the Teagan Taylor Trio, a muscially rising Jazz/Pop band, and an Outdoor Education Zone with interactive science and nature inspired activities for kids of all ages. Net proceeds from the Sustainable Feast will benefit the Outdoor Education Foundation’s scholarship fund, an organization dedicated to providing resources to connect all students to science and nature through once in a lifetime experiences in quality outdoor education programs. Restaurant Tasting tickets are available for purchase for $35 and include 10 culinary tasting tents, a raffle ticket, and a commemorative cookbook. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stayclassy.org.