CEO Corner: AIM’s Center for Food and Agriculture Update
January 9th, 2023
As many of you know, AIM is spearheading the ongoing development for our Center for Food and Agriculture (CFA), a place for our flagship Marin Farmers Market to become a zero-waste farmers market and educational space dedicated to healthier food culture. We will put down roots in a permanent space with a vibrant public commons, and preserve and expand the growth of small and mid-size responsible farmers and producers.
Opening in 2025, we envision the CFA as the world’s first known closed-loop, zero-waste farmers market targeting no on-site greenhouse gas emissions with better amenities for producers and shoppers. The Center for Food and Agriculture will become the highly-visible, modern, permanent home of AIM, a showcase of signature products from local farms, and a world-class gathering place for Bay Area food culture.
This year, we produced a viable business plan and negotiated an agreement with Lindal Cedar Homes for Frank Lloyd Style Usonian homes for AIM’s development of the new Center. We are now awaiting the results of our preliminary environmental study.
Project at a Glance:
An open-air year-round farmers market three days per week with daily programming within the CFA
ADA accessible restrooms, hydration stations, tie-downs for market tents, and partial overhead coverage with tensile canopies to protect farmers and shoppers from inclement weather
Indoor and outdoor dynamic learning spaces, including a teaching kitchen, classrooms and meeting spaces, greenhouse, orchard, edible and climate-resiliency gardens.
Solar panels to harvest energy from the sun, powering the Center and our programs.
Gathering places for people to enjoy food, art, music, and community together.
Educational gardens demonstrating how food grows seasonally in this bioregion.
A pollinator corridor dedicated to supporting essential life-giving insects and birds
A zero-waste market that re-defines how producers package food.
A visitor center, coffee and merchandise shop, with digital kiosks to welcome and assist guests.
Connections to careers and small business advising
A hub for innovative solutions to ensure community members and schools can access a safe, culturally acceptable diet
Support for historically disadvantaged producers
A transportation hub with ample bicycle parking, EV stations, and transfer link to the local SMART Train Station
Learn more: The Center for Food and Agriculture
Illustrations by Darya Shnykina (illustrationzone.com) and Animation: Henrike Lendowski
Music: Japanese Garden by Alex-Productions / https://onsound.eu/. Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.ora/licenses/bv/3.0/deed. en US