Malibu officials have ordered the Cornucopia Foundation’s farmers market to cease operations at Legacy Park, ending its nearly three-year presence there. The city announced on Friday that the market could no longer be held at the site, where it had been temporarily relocated since 2023.

In a statement released the same day, the market’s organizers expressed surprise and disappointment, saying they were “shocked and blindsided” by the city's decision. Susan Bianco, associated with the market, criticized the timing of the announcement, noting that negotiations for an alternative location had been underway for some time. “To do it right before the weekend, how are we going to tell all the vendors?” she said on Monday, emphasizing the disruption the sudden decision caused for both organizers and participants.

City officials, represented by spokesperson Myerhoff, maintained that efforts to allow the market to return to its original location on the Santa Monica College Malibu campus had been ongoing for weeks. However, he said the Cornucopia Foundation had refused to sign the necessary paperwork or accept that continuing to operate at Legacy Park was not permitted under city regulations. “They just want to stay there and they don’t want to accept the fact that it’s against the law,” Myerhoff asserted.

The farmers market initially moved to Legacy Park as a temporary measure during construction at the Santa Monica College Malibu campus near City Hall in the civic center area. That construction was completed in 2023, after which the city expected the market to return to its longtime home, according to Myerhoff. He added that the market's continued presence at Legacy Park has created ongoing challenges, including concerns over public safety and the allocation of community resources.

During the summer, the market occupies roughly 40% of public street parking in the civic center, Myerhoff said, leading to safety issues such as children playing in the street and an inequitable use of space affecting local businesses and visitors. He described the situation as having reached a breaking point.

The farmers market has been a staple of Malibu life since 1998, drawing a mix of locals, tourists, and notable personalities including Courteney Cox, Austin Butler, and LeAnn Rimes. The latest developments mark the end of a brief but very public dispute over the market’s location and future in the community.