Wishing You Nourishment and Hope in 2026, from Foodwise
January 1, 2026
As we reflect on the last year, we are so grateful for you, our beloved Bay Area food and farm community. Since 1993, you have been with us, building an interconnected, diverse, and engaged food community: one where local farmers and food makers thrive, everyone has access to fresh food, and youth are empowered to be tomorrow’s food leaders.
As we look ahead to 2026, our country is in a time of great uncertainty: food assistance for kids and families is being gutted, climate-wise policies are being rolled back, and racial equity programs are being dismantled. But that is not what’s happening at Foodwise. Together, we are stepping up to feed and care for our neighbors in need, supporting sustainable family farms, and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We remain rooted in our values of community, stewardship, equity, and joy—values we know you share, too. See what we accomplished together in 2025:
- We hosted 195 markets at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and Mission Community Market, supporting more than 130 local farms and food businesses and feeding thousands of Bay Area residents.
- We provided fresh, healthy food to 9,375 low-income shoppers at Foodwise farmers markets, distributing $303,789 in SNAP and Market Match—an 18% increase from 2024. During the government shutdown, we gave out $1,185 in emergency food assistance to SNAP participants.
- Foodwise was chosen by the City of San Francisco to be the new operator of the beloved Alemany Farmers Market—California’s oldest and longest-running farmers market—starting in February 2026.
- Through our Building Equity program, 23 BIPOC entrepreneurs participated in pop-up residencies at Foodwise farmer markets for a month or longer. Five of these businesses became permanent Foodwise vendors in 2025!
- We had 3 Pop-Ups on the Plaza events, including our 5th Annual Juneteenth on the Waterfront. These events showcased 32 local BIPOC food and craft entrepreneurs, directing thousands of dollars to their businesses.
- Through our Foodwise Kids program, we welcomed 1,486 SFUSD elementary school students and 378 adult chaperones to explore the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, enjoy fresh fruits and veggies, and learn about healthy, seasonal food.
- Through our Foodwise Teens paid youth development program, 76 SFUSD high school students learned about food justice and developed important life and job skills. Fifteen of them deepened their experience through our summer fellowship program, working with our farmers and team at the farmers market.
- We launched our new Seasonal Spotlight program, educating about 20,000 Foodwise farmers market visitors through free tastings and seasonal recipes to take home, with the goal of increasing the public’s knowledge of California-grown fruits and vegetables, while supporting local farmers.
- We hosted 36 public cooking demos, engaging about 1,475 market visitors at the Foodwise Classroom. Instructors included famed chefs and food influencers such as Kimono Mom, Rick Martinez, Fernay McPherson, Heena Patel, Peter Som, Nite Yun, and more. Watch their demos and find their recipes online.
- And last but not least, 271 of you contributed more than 4,405 hours supporting Foodwise’s programs, including volunteers, interns, board members, and committee members!
Whether you donate to Foodwise to support small farms and food access, volunteer with our education programs, or shop regularly at our farmers markets, thank you for championing an equitable and sustainable Bay Area food community.
We have a big year ahead, and we are ready for the challenges that come our way because we know you are standing right by our side. We look forward to working together and wish you a joyful New Year, filled with delicious farmers market food.
In gratitude,
Your friends at Foodwise
P.S. Want to help us keep this good work going in 2026? Donate now or sign up for our next volunteer orientation on January 28, 2026.