June 2009University of California, San Francisco-Mission Bay Hosts New Farmers’ MarketBy Jeanne StorckEvery Wednesday morning around 9, vendors at the new University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Mission Bay farmers’ market set up shop in a bright bevy of red and white-canopied stalls. The market, which launched April 22nd, is a partnership between UCSF and Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA), a nonprofit that operates farmers’ markets throughout the Bay Area. “The idea for the market came about because of the hugely popular farmers’ market at UCSF Parnassus that launched in 2008,” explained Tamara Villarina, assistant manager of UCSF’s Retail Services. “Parnassus has limited space and only three vendors but incredible traffic, so we figured Mission Bay with all of its open space would be an ideal spot for a farmers’ market.” According to Villarina, roughly half of the market’s visitors are UCSF students and staff, with a quarter people who work in Mission Bay. A smaller number of shoppers come from the surrounding neighborhood, but Villarina hopes that number will grow. “We’d like to add a weekend day eventually which would help that.” Elizabeth Howe, PCFMA Regional Manager, is in charge of the market’s operations. On a recent Wednesday she bustled up and down the walkway collecting stall fees, handing out flyers advertising the market and chatting with vendors and shoppers. “I would love to get more businesses in the neighboring area involved and aware that we’re here,” Howe said. “Traffic at the market has been a bit slow lately.” Howe admitted. “But we’re hoping that once all the construction around here ends and people start moving in that things will pick up.” Howe is planning cooking demonstrations throughout the summer; the first one is scheduled for June 24th. When stone fruit and tomatoes arrive in July and August, the market will host special tasting events. Howe is also looking to bring attention to endangered heritage foods, such as the local Gravenstein apple. In late summer and early fall, she’ll be offering a clinic to teach people how to preserve food through the winter. Upwards of 20 vendors sell organic and conventional fruit and vegetables, as well as salmon, olives, vegan tofu, baked goods and flowers. At the Il Pastaio stand, the handmade ravioli sells out quickly, and vendor Paul Rooney says he’s getting a lot of repeat customers. Louise Rossberg, of Double “R” Bees, offers unpasteurized honey and non-fumigated nuts, and encourages people to look at her glass-covered demonstration hive. At the Her Farm stand, visitors can sample sugar cane, and shop for Asian greens, including bitter melon, amaranth and sweet potato leaves. Ed Ferguson of Schletewitz Farms, a family-run orchard located near Fresno, is selling some of the first apricots of the season. The farm is pesticide-free, and working toward organic certification. When asked how sales are going he’s cautiously optimistic, “Our farm has been around since the 1930s so we’re patient. It takes a season or two for a farmers market to really take off.” The market is on Gene Friend Way between Third and Fourth Streets and is open Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through November 25th. Validated parking is available at the 1650 Third Street parking garage next to the market; visit the market manager’s table to get your ticket stamped. For more information: www.pcfma.com. |
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