Foodwise | April 18, 2025 | View as Webpage

Umbel Roots: Meet the Former Restaurateur Turned Organic Farmer Growing Chef-Driven Crops

William Henpenn’s approach to farming leans heavily on his extensive background as a restaurant owner and chef. His farm, Umbel Roots, offers specialty crops like blue anise, hyssop, turmeric, sorrel, crosnes, and more. At first, William only worked directly with local restaurants like The Morris, Atelier Crenn, Lazy Bear, and Saison. Now at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, home cooks can shop just like the chefs who frequent their booth to source certified organic edible flowers, unique vegetables, and tender lettuces, all grown with soil health and flavor in mind. 

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This Week's Picks

Spring onions | Lilacs | Purple asparagus | Easter Egg radishes | Chocolates | Rose petal sugar | Horseradish | Country miso | Bacon | Baby carrots

See more picks

Tomorrow's Demos: Katie Reicher & J.M. Hirsch

This Saturday, get ready for back-to-back demos featuring greens of spring, with Katie Reicher, Executive Chef of Greens Restaurant and author of Season of Greens, at 11 am, followed by J.M. Hirsch, co-author of Milk Street Backroads Italy, at noon.

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Vote in the 15 Years of Good Food Awards

For their 15th anniversary, the Good Food Awards is honoring past award winners by inviting the public to vote for their favorites. Vote for Ferry Plaza friends like Canteen Meats, Far West Cider, Mill Valley Pasta, Wise Goat Organics, and more!

Vote now

Carnaroli Risotto with Spring Greens

Chef Tony Florian of Seven Hills demonstrated a version of this classic Italian dish filled with fresh spring greens as a part of our Seasonal Spotlight program.

Try the recipe

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Featured Vendors

New! Palestinian-Cuban Fusion Cuisine at Asúkar

Nikki Garcia offers empanadas and other Cuban snacks, along with traditional Palestinian teas and spices. Visit Asukar Palestinian-Cuban Fusion on Tuesdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Meet Asúkar

After Heavy Rains, Iacopi Farms is Back in the Market

After recent rains wiped out their English pea crop, Iacopi Farms is back with fresh, delicious fava beans, peas, and artichokes. Visit Iacopi Farms on Saturdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Meet Iacopi Farms

Mission Community Market: Featured Vendors

New! La Cocina Pop-Up: Camucha's Kitchen

Popping up at the new La Cocina tent on Thursdays through Foodwise's Building Equity program, Carmen Anderson preserves authentic flavors and recipes of Peru. Try her empanadas, flan, alfajores, and more.

Meet Camucha's Kitchen

Free Samples at the New Seasonal Spotlight Tent

Every week, Culinary Program Manager Naomi Webb samples a simple market recipe as a part of our Seasonal Spotlight program. Visit the orange tent to try this week's recipe, Turkish Rice Pilaf.

Learn more

Community Happenings

FAACTS SF Food Action Summit: Cultivating Just Food Futures | April 27-28 | SF

Join FAACTS (Food and Agriculture Action Coalition Toward Sovereignty) for a two-day summit to transform how San Francisco addresses food insecurity and take bold steps toward creating the city's first long-term food system strategy. Co-presented by Foodwise, the summit will bring together community leaders, farmers, advocates, policymakers, restaurant leaders, and others to turn ideas into action and shape a just, regenerative, and resilient food future for all. Purchase tickets here (scholarships are available).


Foodwise Seasonal Spotlight: Spring Festival | April 26 | SF


Foodwise Demo: Eden Grinshpan, Tahini Baby| April 26 | SF


Foodwise Demo: Maria Finn, Forage. Gather. Feast. | April 26 | SF


Foodwise Demo: Vina Thakkar Patel, The Spice Collector’s Cookbook | May 3 | SF


Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival | May 3-4 | Felton


Foodwise Volunteer Orientation | May 10 | SF


Mother's Day Concert at Eatwell Farm | May 11 | Dixon 


Foodwise Demo: Rick Martinez, Salsa Daddy | May 17 | SF


Setting a Place for Us Author Talk: Hawa Hassan in Conversation with Shakirah Simley | May 21 | SF

Market Updates

This is the most up-to-date info about this week's seller attendance at the time of publication. Please check in at the Foodwise Info Booth for any last-minute changes.


Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Saturday, 8am-2pm | April 19

New! Papa's Dumpling

La Cocina Pop-Up: Fladä 

Mandela Partners Pop-Up: Tutuli Mexican Bakery

Returning: Bariani Olive Oil, Iacopi Farms

Out: Baby Bean Pie, Flying Disc Ranch, K&J Orchards (until May), Rainbow Orchards (until July)


Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Tuesday, 10am-2pm | April 22

New! Asúkar Palestinian-Cuban Fusion, Crane Creek Growers,Papa's Dumpling, RHJ Farms

Returning: Rodriguez Bros. Ranch

Out: Remy Creations


Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Thursday, 10am-2pm | April 24

New! Nusa, RHJ Farms

En2Action/Ujamaa Kitchen: Remy Creations

Returning: Rodriguez Bros. Ranch


Mission Community Market: Thursday, 3pm to 7pm| April 24

La Cocina Pop-Up: Camucha's Kitchen

Returning: Fraternite Notre Dame, Sonoma County Meat Company

Visit foodwise.org for seasonality charts, recipes, and more!


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Ferry Plaza Farmers MarketSat 8am-2pm | Tue & Thu 10am-2pm

Mission Community Market | Thu 3pm-7pm

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