Mission
Founded in 1994, Foodwise (formerly CUESA) has operated world-class farmers markets and education programs to connect the Bay Area community with fresh, local food and sustainable family farms. In 2022, we changed our name to Foodwise to reflect our deepened commitment to equity, food access, and education. Learn more about our history.
Our Mission and Vision
Foodwise’s mission is to grow thriving communities through the power and joy of local food.
We envision a world that nourishes all people, local economies, and the living earth.
Our Work
Our work is rooted in the belief that farmers markets are educational spaces where family farmers, food makers, and neighbors can share food and knowledge, build community, and nurture food and climate solutions together.
Farmers markets.
Our farmers markets are vital food access points, where small farmers and food businesses can thrive and thousands of Bay Area residents can learn, share, and build community through fresh local food. Foodwise has operated San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Farmers Market since 1999 and Mission Community Market since 2018. Learn more about our markets.
Education.
Wherever you are in your food journey, we offer programs to inspire eaters of all ages to take part in creating a fair, regenerative, and delicious food future for all. Our education offerings include free public cooking demos, youth programs, and more. Learn more about our programs.
Community food access.
We believe a sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system is rooted in connected communities. Foodwise cultivates welcoming public spaces where neighbors can build community around fresh food, and provides food access programs to make farmers markets inclusive and affordable for all. Learn more about food access.
Our Goals
Through farmers markets, education, and community programs, we’re committed to:
Connecting communities for climate-wise solutions.
Farmers markets are more important than ever to community food security and resilience. Foodwise enables direct connections between more than 130 local sustainable family farms and food businesses and thousands of Bay Area residents for an equitable and climate-wise food future. Learn more about our farmers markets.
Ensuring fresh food access for all.
Foodwise believes that fresh food is a right, not a privilege, and farmers markets are for everyone. Foodwise invests in food access programs like Market Match, which doubles CalFresh (EBT) benefits up to $15 per market day, so that everyone can put fresh, healthy food from local farms on the table. Learn more about food access.
Helping small farms and food businesses succeed.
Foodwise farmers markets reflect the passion, innovation, and diversity of our community, ensuring economic opportunity for local, sustainable, and family-owned farms and food businesses. Through community partnerships, we work to lower barriers for people of color, women, and immigrant entrepreneurs, so they can grow and thrive. Learn more about our sellers.
Sharing food knowledge.
From seasonal tastings and cooking programs to evening talks, we provide educational experiences to connect our community in sharing food knowledge and accessible, family-friendly recipes that reflect the seasonal bounty of the farmers market and the diversity of our communities. Learn more about our education programs.
Supporting the next generation of food leaders.
Foodwise provides educational spaces for youth to connect with fresh food, nature, and each other. Our Foodwise Kids and Foodwise Teens programs provide experiences for thousands of Bay Area students to grow and learn, build community, and develop life and leadership skills. Learn more about our youth education programs.
Our Community Commitment
Foodwise is committed to conducting its business, programs, and market activities according to the following core values: community, equity, stewardship, and joy. Foodwise pledges to:
- Operate world-class farmers markets that provide high-quality, nutritious, and safe products from local farmers, food artisans, and restaurants.
- Foster transparency in our markets by requiring truth in labeling and by offering opportunities for shoppers to learn about the foods sold at the market.
- Provide exceptional services and education programs to our market patrons.
- Incubate small food businesses and support farmers and food entrepreneurs in making their operations more sustainable.
- Expand public access to fresh fruits and vegetables and teach skills for growing and preparing them at home.
- Work toward a healthy, just, and sustainable food system through education, advocacy, and action.