Foodwise to Become the Operator of Alemany Farmers Market in February 2026
November 17, 2025
Foodwise is excited to announce that we have been selected to be the new operator of the Alemany Farmers Market starting in February 2026, in partnership with the City and County of San Francisco.
Affectionately known as “the People’s Market,” the Alemany Farmers Market is the oldest farmers market in both San Francisco and California, with more than 3,000 weekly shoppers. Currently managed by San Francisco’s Real Estate Division, the farmers market first opened on August 12, 1943, at Duboce Avenue and Market Street, and moved to its current location at 100 Alemany Boulevard on August 7, 1947.
In October 2024, the Real Estate Division of the City Administrator’s Office issued a request for proposals to find an experienced nonprofit farmers market operator to take over the market’s management. Through a competitive selection process, Foodwise was awarded the contract.
“The Alemany Farmers Market is the oldest continuously running farmers market in California. We take great pride in our role maintaining this vital community space,” said Real Estate Division Director Sally Oerth. “Partnering with Foodwise will preserve the legacy of the farmers market so that it may continue to serve customers and vendors for years to come.”
“At Foodwise, we know that farmers markets play an essential role in strengthening local communities, supporting small farms, and ensuring healthy food access for all,” says Foodwise Executive Director Christine Farren. “Alemany Farmers Market has been serving our San Francisco community for generations. We are honored to be invited to steward this treasured institution, and our goal is to support and nurture all that this community of farmers, food artisans, and shoppers has already built. We look forward to getting to know everyone better and listening to their ideas on what can be improved so that the market continues to thrive.”
Starting February 7, 2026, Foodwise will take over the day-to-day operations of the Alemany Farmers Market from the Real Estate Division. It will continue to take place at 100 Alemany Boulevard every Saturday, year-round, with the same focus on local food, affordability, and accessibility.
While farmers market shoppers and sellers should not notice any major changes at first, Foodwise plans to add new shopper services such as an info booth to offer EBT throughout the day, new customer seating, and increased marketing. Over time, Foodwise may add more farms and food businesses to the seller mix. Future improvements will be made gradually and with community input.
Food assistance is a high priority to both Foodwise and the City. Starting February 7, 2026, Foodwise will issue tokens to shoppers utilizing food assistance programs like CalFresh EBT and Market Match, not the Real Estate Division. While the tokens may look different, the ability to shop with the help of food assistance programs will not change. Tokens previously issued by the Real Estate Division will continue to be accepted by Foodwise after we take over management of the market.
Foodwise is committed to honoring the groundbreaking and treasured San Francisco institution, and we are proud to bring our decades of experience operating farmers markets in San Francisco, including the triweekly Ferry Plaza Farmers Market since 1993, and the Mission Community Market since 2018.
The Real Estate Division will continue to provide support services to the market including security, custodial service, and property maintenance. This change in management is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to ensure access to healthy food for all communities.
Foodwise looks forward to serving the Alemany Farmers Market community in February 2026! Have questions? Please see our FAQ below and sign up for the Foodwise e-letter for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timeline of the transition?
The Real Estate Division team will continue to manage the farmers market until Saturday, January 31, 2026. On February 7, 2026, Foodwise will take over as the farmers market’s official operator. The Real Estate Division will continue to provide ongoing support and funding for the transition and will continue to provide property management services to the market, including custodial, security, and property maintenance.
What changes can be expected at Alemany Farmers Market?
Starting in February 2026, Foodwise plans to add a dedicated Info Booth to provide customer services and EBT redemption throughout the market day, as well as a customer seating area. Foodwise also plans to increase outreach and promotion to support the market community, including social media, marketing, and more.
Will there be any changes to the farmers and seller lineup?
There will be no immediate changes to the farmers market’s lineup. Everyone who is currently selling at the Alemany Farmers Market will continue to be able to do so, assuming that sellers maintain compliance with CDFA and Foodwise farmers market rules and regulations. Over time, Foodwise may add more farms, producers, and prepared food sellers to enhance the market where there is a need and demand for products from shoppers and the community.
Will there be any changes to food assistance programs, such as CalFresh (SNAP/EBT), Market Match, and WIC?
Making fresh food accessible to all San Franciscans of all income levels is the highest priority for both Foodwise and the Real Estate Division.
All food assistance programs will continue at Alemany Farmers Market, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as CalFresh), Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), Market Match, EatSF Vouchers, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Foodwise currently supports all of these food assistance programs at their other farmers markets.
Starting January 2026, food assistance tokens will only be distributed during the hours of the Saturday farmers market and will not be available for pick up on Fridays. Shoppers who have tokens issued by the Real Estate Division will still be able to use those tokens to shop at the market after Foodwise takes over as operator. Starting February 2026, Foodwise will issue tokens to shoppers utilizing food assistance programs, not the Real Estate Division. While the tokens may look different, the ability to shop with the help of food assistance programs will not change.
Who is Foodwise?
Foodwise is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to championing an equitable and sustainable Bay Area community through farmers markets and education programs.
Since 1993, Foodwise has operated the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market at the San Francisco Ferry Building (Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, year round). In 2018, it took over the operations of the Mission Community Market in San Francisco’s Mission District (Thursdays, seasonal), which was previously a volunteer-run market.
Foodwise farmers markets serve thousands of Bay Area residents, and support 140 sustainable family farms and small food businesses. Through their Building Equity program, Foodwise provides opportunities, technical assistance, and financial support for early-stage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs as they grow their presence at the farmers market.
Foodwise offers food assistance programs for low-income residents at all their farmers markets, including CalFresh EBT, WIC, Fresh Approach VeggieRx, and EatSF Vouchers 4 Veggies, as well as Market Match, which doubles shoppers’ EBT benefits at the farmers market.
As an educational nonprofit, Foodwise also offers free public cooking demos and youth programs, known as Foodwise Kids and Foodwise Teens, which provide vital food education for more than 2,500 San Francisco Unified School District students each year.
When will the Foodwise staff be on site at Alemany Farmers Market to meet shoppers?
Foodwise will host a table in the market area outside of the Alemany Farmers Market office on January 10, 24, and 31 to answer questions from shoppers and sellers. An additional branded Foodwise tent will be set up within the market footprint on these dates to answer both shopper and seller questions.
I am a farmer or food business interested in selling at Alemany Farmers Market. How do I apply?
Will there be any changes to the Alemany Flea Market on Sundays?
I have more questions. Who should I reach out to?
Foodwise and the Real Estate Division are here to answer your questions throughout the transition. Please send your questions or feedback to:
Real Estate Division, City and County of San Francisco (farmers market operator through January 31, 2026)
415-647-9423
Foodwise (farmers market operator starting on February 7, 2026)
415-291-3276
Topics: Farmers market, Food access