| Foodwise: Reflecting on 30 Years of Farmers Markets, Education, and Community |
This week's feature is a message from Foodwise Executive Director Christine Farren:
With Foodwise (originally CUESA) celebrating 30 years of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market this spring, I’ve been ruminating on what got us to this milestone year, and where we are headed next. It’s also my own anniversary of working for this organization for 20 years, so it’s been a time for reflection.
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market was born on May 22, 1993, several years after the Loma Prieta Earthquake shook San Francisco to its core. But out of the rubble, seeds grew as neighbors, chefs, and local farmers came together to reclaim the waterfront and the Ferry Building for the public commons, as a showcase for California’s best and freshest sustainably grown food.
At the time, there were only two other farmers markets in the city. Starting a farmers market was not only a way to revitalize our city and the waterfront: it was a grassroots response to the increasing corporate consolidation and environmental degradation of the industrial food system. It was also very much a practical action of bringing fresh, nutritious produce to folks who live and work in SF. At the core of it all was a deep commitment to education and community. |
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| | | Volunteer with Foodwise! Orientation on June 3 |
| Please join us for a volunteer orientation at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturday, June 3, from 10 to 11 am, to learn more about ways you can support our mission to grow thriving communities through the power and joy of local food. |
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| | | Volunteer of the Month: Richard Bernstein |
| Thank you to Richard Bernstein for supporting Foodwise Kids field trips and cook nights!He shares, "Marrying my love of food with teaching kids about the joys of tasty vegetables seemed like a great way to support the community. Getting to see kids realize how good vegetables taste is fun!” |
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| | | Foodwise Summer Bash Tickets Are Live! |
| The party you’ve been waiting for is BACK on July 16! At Foodwise Summer Bash, you’ll experience an epic summer party to remember at the iconic Ferry Building while feasting on unlimited food and drink from 45 beloved Bay Area restaurants and beverage makers, all in support of local farms and healthy communities. |
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| | | Avocado and Green Chickpeas Bhel |
| At the Foodwise Classroom, Pujan Sarkar, chef de cuisine at ROOH, shared this crowd-pleaser recipe for a typical Bombay street food dish featuring fresh favas, green mango, and more. |
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| Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Featured Vendors |
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La Cocina Pop-Up: Sabores del Sur
Chef Guisell Osorio creates South American goodies like empanandas, Chilean alfajores (cookie filled with dulce de leche), and yerba mate tea. Tomorrow is her last day popping up at the La Cocina tent, as part of the Building Equity program, so be sure to stop by for a sweet or savory bite! |
| Balakian Farms' Peaches and Squash Mean Summer's Near
Eighty years after farmer Amber Balakian’s great-grandfather, an immigrant from Armenia, first planted a vineyard in Reedley, Balakian Farms is still family-run. They return to the farmers market each spring with sweet peaches and various summer squash, all organically grown in Reedley. |
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| Mission Community Market: Featured Vendors |
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Get G.O.A.T. Cheese from Achadinha's Pastures
Jim Pacheco is a third-generation dairyman on both sides of his family. He and his wife, Donna, run Achadinha Cheese Co. with their children. Visit their stand on Thursdays in the Mission and Saturdays at the Ferry Plaza for a variety of cow and goat cheese. |
| Cheer for Cherries and Apricots from Arata Farms
Third-generation farmer Mike Arata owns and manages Arata Farms. From the warm-summer Mediterranean climate of Byron, California, Arata Farms brings a variety of stone fruit to the farmers market, including apricots and cherries. |
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