Foodwise | March 15, 2024 | View as Webpage

How Small Food Businesses Are Essential to San Francisco’s Revitalization, and What They Need to Thrive

This week's feature was written by Savannah Leone Bundy, Foodwise Volunteer.


What does a vibrant San Francisco look like? This was the question posed a few weeks ago at a discussion hosted by Foodwise. I, for one, imagine a landscape full of bright colors, enticing smells, and joyful sounds, where the food that we eat reflects the community and celebrates our natural resources. Despite what some outsiders might think, we still have all of those things: San Francisco absolutely remains a vibrant city, with brilliant people doing incredible things. 


Some of those people include Pia Harris, CEO of SF Housing Development Corporation, Emiliana Puyana, director of the La Cocina incubator program, and Nafy Flatley, chef and owner of Teranga, all of whom sat as panelists for recent Foodwise Talks discussion “Can Small Food Businesses Spark San Francisco’s Revitalization?” During the conversation, moderated by Foodwise Executive Director Christine Farren, some of the biggest challenges facing small food businesses were discussed, along with some ideas for how to meet them.

Read more

This Week's Picks

Nettles | Broccoli | Cabbage | Sorrel | Green garlic | Potatoes | Strawberries | Italian butter beans | Tulips

See more picks

New Farmers Market Tote Bags, in Time for Spring!


Freshen up for spring with your new limited-edition Foodwise tote! Choose from two vibrant designs, printed locally by San Francisco Legacy Business Babylon Burning. Get yours tomorrow at our Info Booth for $15.

Learn more

We're Hiring! Foodwise Youth Education Program Manager


Join our team! Foodwise is seeking an experienced, passionate Education Program Manager to oversee and implement our youth programming for both Foodwise Kids and Foodwise Teens. Apply by March 29.

Learn more and apply

Pop-Ups on the Plaza: Celebrating Black Women Makers


On March 30, celebrate Women's History Month by joining us for a day of delicious food, community, and family fun at the Ferry Terminal Plaza and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Shop from 18 Black women-owned businesses, and enjoy cooking demos and crafts.

Learn more and see the lineup

Tomorrow! Foodwise Demo: Reem Assil


Join us at the Foodwise Classroom at 11 am for a demo with Reem Assil, founder of Reem's California, who will be making a Wheatberry-Fava Bean Salad. This free cooking demo will be followed by book signing and sales of Arabiyya, courtesy of Book Passage.

Learn more

Caramelized Fennel Salad


This salad from Chef Rachel Aronow captures the cusp of winter and spring. Caramelized fennel and fresh greens are tossed with a citrus vinaigrette and topped with strawberries and young pea shoots.

Try the recipe

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Featured Vendors

New! Regenerative Ghee at Alexandre Family Farm

At the Ferry Plaza on Saturday, and in the Mission on Thursday, pick up Alexandre Family Farm's Certified Regenerative Organic eggs, A2/A2 milk, yogurt, and now ghee (a clarified butter, originating in India).

Meet Alexandre Family Farm

Support Saltwater Bakeshop As They Prepare Their Shop

Over a year after signing a lease for a brick-and-mortar, baker Brittany Dunn-Holden is still waiting to open the doors. Support Saltwater Bakeshop at the farmers market on Saturday, and invest in the business here.

Meet Saltwater Bakeshop

Mission Community Market: Featured Vendors

New! Brokaw Ranch Company's Famous Avocados

New at the Mission Community Market, and a regular at the Ferry Plaza on Saturdays, Brokaw Ranch Company specializes in intensively farmed avocado, specialty citrus, and subtropical tree fruit.

Meet Brokaw Ranch Company

Delight in Yerena Farm's First Spring Strawberries

A much welcome sign of spring, Yerena Farms is back at the Mission Community Market (to return at the Ferry Plaza on a regularly basis soon!) with their first strawberries of the year, grown on their farm in Watsonville.

Meet Yerena Farms

Community Happenings

Oakland Restaurant Week 2024 | March 14-24 | Oakland


Save Market Match Rally at the State Capitol | March 20 | Sacramento


Author Talk: Cara Mangini (The Vegetable Eater) in conversation with Foodwise's Christine Farren at Omnivore Books | March 20 | SF


Celebrating Women in Business: Panel and Pop-up | March 27 | SF


Bioneers Conference 2024 | March 28-30 | Berkeley | Use discount code "Foodwise20" for 20 percent off


2024 Edible Schoolyard Summer Training | June 20-21 (Apply by March 29) | Berkeley


Foodwise Demo: Zakiyyah Shaheed, Baby Bean Pie | March 30 | SF


Foodwise Demo: Christina Alexis, The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events | March 30 | SF


Foodwise Demo: Linda Shiue, MD, Spicebox Kitchen | April 13 | SF


Foodwise Demo: Olive Said, Kitchen on Fire | April 13 | 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 | March 16

La Cocina Pop-Up: Mi Comedor

Mandela Partners Pop-Up: Chef Sarah Germany

Returning: Devoto Gardens and Orchards

Out: Annie's T Cakes, Beber Almondmilk, Capay Mills, The Peach Farm, Yerena Farms


Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Tuesday, 10am-2pm | March 19

SF Black Wealth Pop-Up: Mo'Raysha's

Returning: Proyecto Diaz Coffee, Nucha Empanadas

Out: K&J Orchards (until May)


Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Thursday, 10am-2pm | March 21

En2Action's Ujamaa Kitchen Pop-Up: Wright's Delights

SF Black Wealth Pop-Up:Sukulenta SF


Mission Community Market: Thursday, 3pm-7pm | March 21

Out: Papa's Dumpling (until April)

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 | Closed for the season

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