Studio City Farmers Market Issues Statement About Soups and Health Department Warning

Studio City Farmers Market Statement on Organic Soup Kitchen Products
Sold at Studio City Farmers Market

Recently, Organic Soup Kitchen, a long-time vendor of the Studio City Farmers Market, to discontinue selling its soups because their product was not under the supervision of the California Department of Public Health, who monitors the soup for contamination of the toxin Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism.

has been found in any soups made by Organic Soup Kitchen.  In a conversation with a representative from the California Department of Public Health, the Studio City Farmers Market was told that no illnesses have been linked to soups produced by Organic Soup Kitchen.

The California Department of Public Health has told Organic Soup Kitchen to stop selling their product because they do not have state processing and cannery permits, something organic Soup Kitchen was not made aware of that they needed until last week. These permits will add another level of inspection to the stringent guidelines Organic Soup Kitchen already follows in their commercial kitchen.

Organic Soup Kitchen has all the necessary county health permits, and as is standard practice, their commercial kitchen is inspected by the county health department on a regular basis. Organic Soup Kitchen has notified the Studio City Farmers Market that they are in the process of complying with the mandatory California Department of Public Health’s requirements.

“We adhere to the highest standards in the making and packaging of our soups,” said Anthony Carroccio, founder and director of Organic Soup Kitchen. “We go above and beyond health department guidelines and welcome any additional inspections the state wants to throw our way.”

Organic Soup Kitchen is a nonprofit organization whose proceeds from sales are dedicated to providing wholesome, nutritious food to marginalized sectors of the community. During the last three years, they have served more than 50,000 meals to homeless women and children, veterans and low income seniors.  

The Studio City Farmers Market is proud to support organizations like Organic Soup Kitchen, and we look forward to having them back at the Market when their permits from the California Department of Public Health are in place.

In the meantime, any customer who wishes to return soup purchased at the Studio City Farmers Market from Organic Soup Kitchen should bring it to the Market on Sunday and the market manager will be happy to issue a full refund. 

The market table is located on the north side of the street in the center of the Market. For further information, please call the Studio City Farmers Market office, 818-655-7744.

For more information on Organic Soup Kitchen and their wonderful programs, please visit them at www.organicsoupkitchen.org.