NEWS RELEASE **EVENT DATE CHANGE – Opening Day now JUNE 7** Media Contact: Citrus PR for Little Italy Association 858-240-4556 Lauren Walsh - lwalsh@citruspublicrelations.com Jenny Gilcrest - jgilcrest@citruspublicrelations.com For merchants interested in participating and for more information, contact : Catt Fields White, Serving Magazine and Little Italy Mercato - 619-233-3769 / mercato@littleitalysd.com Little Italy Association Presents Little Italy Mercato - Downtown San Diego’s New Outdoor ‘City Market’ Italian-themed farmers market launches in Little Italy neighborhood – Planned for every Saturday, beginning June 7, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. San Diego, Calif. — (May 21, 2008) — The Little Italy Association (LIA) today announced that it will host a new weekly event – Little Italy Mercato – poised to become downtown San Diego’s official ‘city market.’ Little Italy Mercato will be held every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Date Street (between Kettner and State streets in Little Italy), which will be closed to through traffic. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to select fresh specialty items such as organic produce; meats, cheeses, pastas and other authentic foods; enjoy live chef demonstrations; tastings and more. The first Little Italy Mercato will be held on Saturday, June 7, with more than 50 selected local farmers, food and specialty item purveyors, chefs, artisans and importers to showcase and sell their goods to visitors and local residents in the Little Italy neighborhood. Little Italy Mercato was created by Little Italy Association and is managed by Little Italy resident and business owner Catt Fields White, publisher of Serving Magazine, a local restaurant trade magazine, who brings a strong network of local food producers, farmers, restaurant operators and chefs and their perspective as to what makes a city market valuable. White is a member of the board of the California Restaurant Association and regional outreach director for the Green Restaurant Association. “Little Italy provides the ideal setting to bring our vision for a city market to fruition,” said White. “Thanks to the LIA’s support, the Mercato will fill the streets of downtown's most vibrant community and the organization’s expertise in managing special events in the District will help make sure this ongoing event is a tremendous success.” Little Italy Mercato’s special features will include: A focus on the environment - Little Italy Mercato aims to be a “Zero Waste Environment” through reuse, recycling and composting. Such criteria as no plastic bags or Styrofoam packaging will be mandated for all participating vendors. Further, there will be Mercato-branded ‘green’ reusable shopping bags available for all vendors and for retail purchase. Select local vendors encompassing farmers, food and specialty item purveyors, chefs, artisans and importers to showcase and sell their goods with plans to expand participant booths to up to 100 select vendors with year-round. Notable chefs from Little Italy and regionally, who will serve on an advisory board to guide the selection of the best farm sources, sustainable foods and more. Food demonstrations from guest chefs will inspire and educate visitors on topics like how to use specific products and foods; how to pair foods with wine; and how to shop for the best ingredients at Little Italy Mercato and beyond. In the coming months, a new publication called The Market Report will be available at Little Italy Mercato, providing details on upcoming events, recipes, feature stories, etc. “LIA’s Board of Directors is in full support of Little Italy Mercato making its debut in the neighborhood this May,” said Steve Galasso, president of the LIA Board. “The Mercato is a prime example of what Little Italy stands for – community spirit, support for local vendors and celebrating Italian heritage. We welcome and encourage local residents and visitors to make Little Italy Mercato a weekly activity for the whole family!” Opportunities are available to be considered as a selected booth vendor and/or sponsor Little Italy Mercato. For more information, please contact Catt Fields White, publisher of Serving Magazine and Coordinator of the Little Italy Mercato by calling 619-233-3901, via email mercato@littleitalysd.com, or visit www.littleitalymercato.com About Little Italy Association (LIA) A non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation for the public’s benefit, the Little Italy Association (LIA) advocates on behalf of its members’ best interests in the areas of public safety, beautification, promotion and economic development, while preserving the unique cultural resources that exist in the Little Italy neighborhood of Downtown San Diego. LIA stands as the only district management corporation of its kind for any Little Italy neighborhood in the United States and is run by a Board of Directors encompassing 33 people who represent property owners, residents, businesses and community at large. More information can be found by visiting www.littleitalysd.org or by calling (619) 233-3898.