Mission Community Market FAQ
January 25, 2018
Beginning on April 5, 2018, CUESA will be the new operator of Mission Community Market (MCM) in San Francisco’s Mission District. We are honored to support this vibrant neighborhood market with deep roots in the Mission community.
Founded in 2010 by a dedicated group of neighborhood nonprofits, businesses, city staff, and farmers, MCM transformed a block of Bartlett Street in the Mission District into a neighborhood gathering place, creating a platform for local businesses, artists, and community groups. MCM has heavily on the volunteers to operate the market week after week. After starting the farmers market and partnering with the City to create La Placita, MCM has decided to pass the reins of the market to CUESA to its long-term viability and success.
CUESA looks forward to supporting MCM sellers and listening to the community in this transition. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at mcm@cuesa.org with your ideas, input, and questions.
Thank you for your partnership and support in making Mission Community Market the best it can be!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why the change to new market management?
As an organization dedicated to operating multiple farmers markets, CUESA brings a level of marketing power, operational expertise, educational programming, and customer service that will enable MCM to grow. This means more sales for MCM farmers, more opportunities for small businesses, and greater access to healthy foods for the Mission District. With an incredible team of educators and market staff, CUESA will ensure that the mission of MCM will continue for years to come.
How will this transition change the Thursday market?
It won’t! The market will have the same Thursday night schedule (4-8pm) in 2018.
The market will reopen this year on Thursday, April 5, 2018.
As they get settled in, CUESA will include additional educational programming on Thursday evenings at MCM that will benefit local residents and drive sales for sellers.
What will happen to my favorite farmers and sellers?
It is very important to CUESA’s and MCM’s boards that we stay true to the mission, farmers, sellers, and community members that make the market possible. CUESA will keep MCM’s current farmers and sellers. Over time, the plan is to add more farms, producers, and prepared food sellers, and continue to provide new opportunities for local businesses.
Who is CUESA?
Founded in 1994, CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a healthy and sustainable food system through the operation of farmers markets and educational programs. CUESA operates the iconic Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and the Jack London Farmers Market in Oakland on Sundays.
CUESA’s education programs are at the heart of its mission. Education classes teach people of all ages how to cook and encourage healthy eating. Interactive exhibits at the market, expert panel discussions, farm tours, and an extensive website all serve to build knowledge about food and farming. CUESA offers two robust youth programs: Foodwise Kids, a free culinary farmers market field trip for public elementary school students that serves over 2,500 children each year, and Schoolyard to Market, a high school gardening and entrepreneurship program offered in four San Francisco public schools that has taught over 600 students to grow their own food.
What about the Market Match/CalFresh program?
It will continue! MCM is proud to have secured funding with the Ecology Center and from BiRite market to support the Market Match program. We are on track to have even more matching dollars in 2018, thanks to support from BiRite Market. And even better: CUESA operates the same Market Match program at all of their farmers markets. This will make it even easier to increase our reach and grow the match in the years to come.
What will happen to Urban Sprouts?
MCM is so proud to have partnered with Urban Sprouts since 2011 to provide sales opportunities for youth, support their certified school gardens, and make healthy, local foods more accessible to all cultures. Urban Sprouts and local students will continue to sell their local products at MCM. And Urban Sprouts staff will continue bilingual outreach and cooking demonstrations through our 2018 grant period.
What about La Placita?
MCM has always considered how Bartlett Street can serve neighborhood needs every day of the week. Current MCM board members, small businesses, and local property owners are now in the process of forming a “community benefit district” that can help maintain La Placita and neighborhood sidewalks, promote small businesses, and host additional community-based events on other days of the week. Write to cbd@missioncommunitymarket.org to learn more.
I still want to volunteer at the market.
Thank you! CUESA markets also thrive on volunteers and we’d love to continue to have our amazing MCM volunteers on Thursdays. Write us at mcm@cuesa.org to learn about volunteer opportunities.
I have more questions. Who should I reach out to?
MCM board members and CUESA staff are here to answer your questions throughout the transition. We are very excited for the opportunities CUESA can bring to the market and the Mission community. Please send us your questions or feedback at mcm@cuesa.org.
Photo courtesy of Mission Community Market.
Topics: Farmers market