Greetings!

As a dedicated supporter, you know that the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market has been a vital source of nourishment for thousands of San Franciscans for 30 years—a lifeline for California farmers and community food access, as well as a place of learning, joy, and connection for eaters of all ages. Your support is critical in ensuring that farmers markets are accessible to all San Franciscans through food access and education programs like Foodwise Kids.

“Often in San Francisco, it feels like farmers markets are only for a few people who are informed or have the right access,” says Julia Schorr-Sherer, a first-grade bilingual Spanish teacher in San Francisco’s Mission District. “Foodwise Kids brought much more inclusivity and access from a really early age, having first-graders understand that the city has all of these markets that are accessible to them.”

Like you, we believe fresh, healthy food is a right not a privilege. Since the Foodwise Kids program launched in 2012, more than 20,000 San Francisco Unified elementary school students have explored the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market to nourish their love of fresh produce, connect with local farms, and deepen their understanding of a sustainable food system. With your support, we’ve grown the Foodwise Kids program, engaging the whole family through cook nights where kids and parents hone their cooking skills together.

Each semester, Foodwise has a long waitlist for these free Foodwise Kids field trips and classes. As we head into the New Year, Foodwise is facing a funding shortfall, yet we remain deeply committed to meeting the needs of our community. Help us bridge the funding gap, so we can continue to serve San Francisco kids and families with vital nutrition and wellness education in 2024. 

Food brings us together in so many ways, especially during the holidays. You can ensure that fresh, local food is accessible to all San Francisco families throughout the year, while keeping California family farms thriving for generations to come. Please help us raise $15,000 to get us to to our goal of $60,000 by December 31. Nourish our San Francisco community with a gift today.

Thank you, and happy holidays!