Center For Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture

FOODWISE GROWS THRIVING COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE POWER AND JOY OF LOCAL FOOD. WE ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH THE OPERATION OF FARMERS MARKETS AND FOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS: FOODWISE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES INSPIRE EATERS OF ALL AGES TO PARTICIPATE IN CULTIVATING A HEALTHY FOOD SYSTEM. IN PRE-PANDEMIC YEARS, THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDED FREE COOKING DEMOS, EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS, FOOD AND FARM TOURS AND SUSTAINABILITY TALKS TO CONNECT PEOPLE AND BUILD COMMUNITY AROUND HEALTHY, SEASONAL FOOD. IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC WE MOVED MUCH OF OUR ADULT PROGRAMMING ONLINE. THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEGUN RETURNING TO SOME IN-PERSON LEARNING, AND HAVE BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL IN CONTINUING OUR YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, REFERENCED ABOVE. OUR GOAL IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS IS TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO DEEPEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF AND ENGAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

FARMERS MARKET PROGRAMS: FOODWISE COMMUNITY, FORMERLY CUESA, HAS MANAGED THE FERRY PLAZA FARMERS MARKET IN SAN FRANCISCO SINCE 1994, AND THE MISSION COMMUNITY MARKET IN SAN FRANCISCO SINCE 2017. FOODWISE'S MARKETS ARE CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS RENOWNED FOR DIVERSE OFFERINGS OF HIGH-QUALITY, DELICIOUS LOCAL PRODUCTS. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON ACTIVATION OF OUR FARMERS MARKETS AS EDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR CULTIVATING A HEALTHY FOOD SYSTEM. FOR EXAMPLE, OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM FOODWISE KIDS IS A FREE FIELD TRIP AND COOKING CLASS THAT USES THE FERRY PLAZA FARMERS MARKET AS A CLASSROOM FOR EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHY EATERS. THIS YEAR WE CONTINUED TONURTURE CHILDRENS LOVE FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, TEACH THEM TO PREPARE HEALTHY, SEASONAL FOODS, AND RAISE THEIR AWARENESS OF THEIR ROLE IN A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM VIA A HYBRID MODEL OF BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIDEOS/REMOTE INSTRUCTION, DUE TO THE CONTINUING PANDEMIC. FOODWISE TEENS, A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM, GIVES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY LEARN ABOUT GARDENING, SUSTAINABILITY, AND NUTRITION AND GAIN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS OF COMMUNICATION, TEAMWORK, AND COOKING. AT FOODWISE WE HELP MAKE HEALTHY FOOD AFFORDABLE THROUGH FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS LIKE MARKET MATCH, WHICH DOUBLES SHOPPERS' CALFRESH (FOOD STAMP) BENEFITS AT THE FARMERS MARKET,WHILE DIRECTLY SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FARMERS. SINCE THE PANDEMIC THE NEED FOR THIS PROGRAM HAS TRIPLED, AS MORE FAMILIES NEED ASSISTANCE PUTTING FRESH, DELICIOUS FOOD ON THE TABLE.