Open Aire Market Welcomes New Vendor—The Oatmeal Bar

Polly Whorton and Lyudmila Zotova are now serving warm organic steel-cut oatmeal at the Open Aire Market on Sunday mornings. The two, who previously worked together for another farmers market vendor, saw a need for a healthy breakfast option at the local market.

The Oatmeal Bar opened at the farmers market just last weekend. They serve oatmeal with 22 topping sweet and savory options, including fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, honey, bacon, goat cheese and milks.

We tried a large oatmeal ($6.25) with strawberries, glazed pecans, honey, chèvre and a splash of almond milk. A small is $5.25.

Zotova said most toppings are organic and soon all of them will be. In addition, most of the toppings are from other local vendors such as Suzie's Farm or J.R. Organics Farm.

"There was not many really healthy options at the markets, so we are bringing our oatmeal vision to the farmers market," said Zotova.

The Oatmeal Bar sets up at the Vista farmers market on Saturdays (8 a.m. to noon) and the La Jolla Open Aire Market on Sundays (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) It hopes to expand to one or two more farmers markets this year.