In the heart of Hayward lies a small event that takes place every Saturday. Farmers from all over California come to set up their stalls, pack their tables with colorful produce and await shoppers. Not only does produce get sold, but a deeper connection that farmers and people share is highlighted: Food.

The farmers market culture has become a trend in the last few years; organic, small farm produce is socially acceptable and considered mainstream. Farmers markets have grown a strong presence over social media and internet blogs. Social media platforms like Instagram are a popular stage for farmers markets; over 15 million public posts are dedicated to the term ‘organic’ while close to 2 million public posts are dedicated to ‘farmers markets’. Popular blog sites Deliciously Organic and Dishing Up the Dirt have a strong social media presence with thousands of followers. Both blog sites praise the farmers market culture and small farm shopping while regularly using organic produce in their recipes.  

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) reported in their 2014 National Farmers Market Manager Survey Summary that, “The majority of farmers market managers reported increases in customer traffic and market sales. Of the 91 percent of surveyed managers for markets open in both the 2012 and 2013 seasons: 64 percent reported increased customer traffic; 63 percent reported increases in their number of repeat customers; and 63 percent reported increases in annual sales.” Years ago, shopping at grocery stores and purchasing canned products or goods that were heavily processed meant that you were well off and could afford it. Now, shopping for organic, locally grown food has taken precedent to the heavily processed and canned food industry, which means organic is “in”. A strong social media presence and a national week dedicated to farmers markets, which is from August 7-13, has shown that people are leaning towards the organic lifestyle. However, how do people who shop at farmers markets know their food is organic and locally grown?

For more than 20 years, the Hayward Farmers Market has provided the city of Hayward with fresh produce and a “know thy neighbor” aesthetic. In regards to “local”, family owned farms as far as Fresno travel every Saturday to Hayward, sell their produce and make a profit, while providing families with fresh, non-GMO produce. GMO produce, or genetically modified organisms, are foods produced from organisms that have been modified and therefore are not in a natural state anymore. The results of GMO produce can range from a decrease in nutritional value to an increase in toxicity that is not normally found in certain kinds of produce. The Hayward Farmers Market is part of the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) which strictly prohibits stands from selling GMO produce and sells sustainable grown food.

AIM’s goal is support, educate and unite farmers and their communities to provide sustainable food systems and access to locally grown food. Through various programs, conventions and volunteer services, AIM offers each community a chance to get involved. The programs range from farm field studies to market tours and visits, all available through their website. AIM is strong in educating their audience by offering these programs to the public because it involves bringing people and farmers together. The dedication to farmers and communities connecting is channeled through their educational programs and volunteer opportunities. AIM’s mission is, “to educate the public about the nutritional and economic benefits of buying locally grown food directly from farmers, and to connect and support communities and agriculture.” AIM also offers farmers to become vendors through their program. The task of opening a stand is simple yet thorough. AIM’s five step process requires that applicants first see if they qualify, then learn about stall fees and permits, rules and regulations, submit a filled out application and wait for a space to become available. AIM’s first farmer’s market opened in 1983, and ever since then, they have cultivated status as a non-profit public benefit organization, with 249 members across California and staying committed to their strong belief in encouraging farmers and communities to interact with one another. AIM has farmers markets in San Rafael, San Francisco, Newark, Oakland and Hayward.

The effort that AIM puts into making sure that people from all walks of life have access to fresh produce, including families who use EBT and WIC, shows that the organization truly cares about the communities they are serving. EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) is better known as food stamps, which is a form of aid that allows low income families to purchase groceries. WIC (Women, Children and Infants) is a federal assistance program through the Food and Nutrition program, which is run by the USDA. WIC aids low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants and children. The option to use EBT or WIC credit provides families access to fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables, meats (including fish and poultry) dairy products, breads and more.

Often times, families who use EBT have limited access to what they can obtain at a grocery store. Angela Rodrigues, a Hayward resident and EBT recipient, praised the farmer’s market for their contribution to Hayward’s community and stated, “It’s because of their acceptance of EBT users that I can get produce that I actually trust and I get a little more of it than I would if I went to a grocery store. I’m not as embarrassed to use my EBT credit here because I know they willingly accept it”. Another shopper, Albert Chen, appreciated the opportunity to meet vendors because, “It’s nice to know where my food comes from. I get to meet the people who grow it and they all seem genuinely happy to have someone buy their produce”.

AIM’s goal is to bring farmers and communities together to build a connection and fortify sustainable food system. Their successful farmers markets, like Hayward’s, is proof that to know food, you must know the farmer. The Hayward Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 777 B Street in downtown. To learn more about AIM and the local famers markets supported by AIM, visit https://www.agriculturalinstitute.org

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Photo by Kol Parsons/Contributor