We all make our own way through grief, but the city of El Monte is hoping the return of its weekly farmers market will help the community mourn.

The market is the first community event since the city paused all city programs after the deaths of El Monte police Sgt. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana on June 14. It is set from 5-9 p.m. Thursdays at the site of the old Valley Mall, on Main Street between Santa Anita and Tyler avenues.

Holding on to summer traditions is one way to find happiness in pandemic times. Savoring the simple joys of wandering through a farmers market can be a source of joy during difficult days.

“As our community continues to heal, I hope that our events bring a sense of normalcy and unify our community than ever before,” City Manager Alma Martinez said.

El Monte’s farmers market started in 2020 with more than 5,000 attendees wandering its stalls offering certified produce, food trucks, live music and raffles. This summer, as in the past, El Monte police officers will be on hand.

“I am grateful to the El Monte residents and community who have shown our department tremendous support as we mourned together the loss of two of our officers,” Police Chief Ben Lowry said. “We look forward to attending these city events so we can repay that support and do what we enjoy most, interact with our community.”

From Pasadena to uptown Whittier, certified farmers markets have become staples of many neighborhoods, a regular stop for locals to pick up fresh produce, plants, artisan food and crafts.

Temple City’s version, open from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sundays, powered through the pandemic. Scaled down with COVID-19-protocols (such as one-way entrances and exits), the markets were one way to get out of the house safely during the lockdown.

I was always a market girl myself, eager to discover what fruits and vegetables were in season, checking out the vendor stalls and almost always going home with the same things: A plant and my go-to market buys of onions, garlic and tomatoes. I would spend a long time discussing the merits of different kinds of tomatoes. Who knew there was brandywine, persimmon and green zebra tomatoes?

On more ambitious days, I would pick up some avocados, intent on trying a new recipe. Invariably, I would end up mashing them up in a bowl with sugar and milk, a childhood treat. But the sight of stalls with summer squash, mushrooms, cherries, peaches, apricots, plums, eggplants, and all the local bounty always is welcome. I pick up some fresh bread and a jar or two of hummus and I am happy.

Duarte joined the market circuit when it launched its own farmers market in June. Situated in the parking lot of Santa Teresita Hospital, the market is held from 4-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, at 819 Buena Vista St.

I’m sure the markets held in Monrovia, Pasadena, San Dimas, South Pasadena and West Covina will mark “National Farmers Markets Week,” Aug. 7-13 with their own community celebrations.

In El Monte, I imagine everyone who loved Sgt. Paredes and Officer Santana and remembers them walking around farmers markets in the past, and loving the little things about El Monte, will wander along the aisles this summer, and remember. The good things. The little things. The simple joys of summer. Bittersweet.

Anissa V. Rivera, columnist, “Mom’s the Word,” Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News, Azusa Herald, Glendora Press and West Covina Highlander, San Dimas/La Verne Highlander. Southern California News Group, 181 W. Huntington Drive, Suite 209, Monrovia, CA 91016. 626-497-4869.