Celebrating Black History month and supporting Black-owned Businesses

February is dedicated as Black History Month, a time to reflect and honor the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history.  

As you may know, the percentage of Black farmers in the United States has declined over the last century. Today, just 1.4% of farmers identify as Black or mixed race compared with about 14% 100 years ago. In California, there are approximately 450 Black farmers, reflecting 1% of all California owned or managed farmers.

For the first time in history, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has publicly recognized historical discrimination against Black farmers, resulting in generational wealth loss for many former Black farmers. AIM is hopeful that this formal recognition by USDA will lead to meaningful changes in the next U.S. Farm Bill to create land access and equitable lending policies to benefit Black farmers and food-makers. We also want to honor the work of agricultural pioneers like George Washington Carver and Fannie Lou Hamer, and chefs like Georgia Gilmore, who stood up for the Civil Rights Movement and in turn, created access to markets, kitchens, and land for African Americans.

As AIM moves forward in our Path to Racial Equity, we will continue to advocate for policies that will increase land access and build wealth and capital for Black farmers and food-makers, as well as other historically disadvantaged groups. In addition, as part of achieving food justice, AIM will also increase representation in our farmers markets to build direct-marketing opportunities among Black-owned farms, small food businesses, and artisans meeting our market standards. Representation matters by ensuring Black-owned farms, food businesses, and artists are valued and welcomed at farmers markets, while building community with the diverse shoppers and eaters who visit our markets.

In celebrating Black History Month, as an organization, we have a social and economic responsibility to welcome and amplify the stories of Black-owned farms and businesses who are shaping our unwritten future towards a more just society. In 2020, at AIM, we had approximately 12 Black-owned businesses participating in our markets. Today, we are proud to say that we now have 37 amazing market participants whose farm or business ownership is Black or African American (listed below).

Please join us in supporting these businesses this month and all year round to ensure they thrive at AIM’s farmers markets!

8 AM Fashion, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Aquila Grayscale, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Balakian Farms, Certified Producer/Farmer

Big Paw Olive Oil Co, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Chestnut Street Granola, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Chris' Conchas, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Codacraft Designs, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Collardz by Soul, TFF - Temporary Food Facility

Crumble & Whisk, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Delightful Foods, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Dragonspunk GRO, Certified Producer/Farmer

Dre Jams and Jellies, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Goldi's Gourmet Spices, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Hella Charged & Lit, Artisan (arts & crafts)

HomeRightonline, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Josephine's Southern Cuisine, TFF - Temporary Food Facility

Juicy Bottle Service LLC, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Latisha Baker Artworks, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Lucero Organic Farms, Certified Producer/Farmer

Maison Porcella, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Nasimiyu Designs, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Oak-Dar Coffee (Ethiopian), TFF - Temporary Food Facility

Oya Organics, Certified Producer/Farmer

Phyllis Emelda & Company, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Pimpin Chikn, TFF - Temporary Food Facility

Pound Bizness, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Project Get Free, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Raised Roots, Certified Producer/Farmer

Red Bay Coffee, Inc., MFF - Mobile Food Facility

Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Rize Up Bakery LLC, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

Sweet Treat Body Care, Artisan (arts & crafts)

The Lemonade Bar, TFF - Temporary Food Facility

Uhuru Foods & Pies, LLC, TFF - Temporary Food Facility

Boss Seasoning, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged

WITH LOV3, LC, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Worthy Beings, Artisan (arts & crafts)

Your Granola Garden, Food Purveyor/Pre-Packaged