Introducing the Racial Equity Fund 2025 Cohort
We are so pleased to introduce our fifth Racial Equity Fund cohort of BIPOC entrepreneurs. This group of business owners was chosen from a pool of applicants by outside panel of BIPOC community members. These business owners will have their market and stall fees waived, receive a $2,500 stipend for any market-related costs, and a chance for mentorship with an established farmers market participant or Small Business Development Center.
Alberto Mendoza, Ayoquezco Organic Farm
Sunday Marin Market
Alberto worked a variety of construction and agriculture jobs before striking out on his own and starting Ayoquezco Organic Produce in 2019. Albert avoids pesticides, and has adopted practices like crop rotation and utilizing drip tape to reduce water use on his 4.5 acres of leased land in Salinas. He grows tomatillos, chilies, green beans, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, strawberries, celery, beets, cilantro, kale, and tomatoes.
Eleuterio Zarate Salinas, Zarate Family Farms
Grand Lake Market
Zarate Family Farms is owned by Eleuterio. He was a farmworker for an organic farmer for many years and has fulfilled his dream of owning his own farm. He is growing a variety of gorgeous lettuces, leafy greens, herbs, onions, radishes, and more
Baltazar Caballero, Mixteco Organic Produce
Newark Market
Baltazar started in organic and sustainable agriculture in 2021 in Monterey. He is certified organic by CCOF, CDFA, and USDA. He is excited to enter agricultural markets and sell his produced products to customers.
Celsa Ortega, Induchucuiti Organic Farm
Thursday Marin Market
Celsa grew up farming as a way to feed her family, and turned it into a business to financially support herself and her family. She saw it as an opportunity to improve her economic situation while honoring the wisdom of her ancestors. She comes from a lineage that values hard work and maintains a deep connection to the land and nature.
Curtis Aikens, Marin County Cooperation Team
Thursday Marin Market
MCCT has a community farm/garden that is going to be selling at the Thursday Marin Market. Their garden program creates workforce training for youth and other community members.
Sheila Hilliard, Boss Seasoning
Sunday Marin and Hayward Markets
The Original Spice blend (a family secret recipe) was created over 40 years ago by Ken Wheeler. After he passed away, the family decided to bottle for resale. The name was chosen because Ken and his brother-in-law Elwood Williams would refer to each as the “Boss” while preparing BBQ for all the family gatherings in Clearlake, California. Over the years, Boss Seasoning has evolved into an all-spice seasoning. Our newest blends, Mexican Gourmet and Mesquite Blends were created by Michael Cutliff.
Deborah Michail, Tavus
Stonestown Market
Tavus Foods was founded by Debb Michail with the mission of sharing the cherished culinary traditions of her big, beautiful Persian family. Over the years, Debb has had the privilege of working in some of California's most highly acclaimed restaurants, delighting taste buds as a private chef around the globe, and even selling out a series of fire-cooked, communal pop-up dining experiences in Los Angeles. She is thrilled to introduce Tavus Foods, a very personal expression of deliciousness from her family and heart, in honor of her great-grandmother Tavus, the matriarch of her family who lived to be 102 years old.
Charles McDonald, Sip to Live
Grand Lake Market
Gibran McDonald is a former school/prison yoga teacher and herbalist from Oakland, CA. In the year 2000 he travelled to Morocco and had unforgettable experiences with their incredible teas. A few years later he was exposed to yoga and its sister science of Ayurveda which includes herbalism. These two influences became the foundation for Sip to Live Herbal Teas, which creates loose leaf tea blends that range from herbal to respectably caffeinated. Gibran has been creating and refining these blends since 2007 and became a certified yoga instructor in 2014. Sip to Live’s goal is to provide the community with incredible teas that inspire people to learn more about herbs.
Sade Adeyemi, Herbal Alchemist
Grand Lake Market
Sade (Shah-day) Adeyemi is an herbalist and healer committed to helping people feel more joyful, healthy and confident in their own skin. As the Herbal Alchemist, she's formulated an organic skincare line powered by plants that is accomplishing just that. These fragrance-free, non-toxic products are an indulgent invitation to connect more deeply with our bodies, our selves, and the natural world through loving acts of intentional self-care.
Seasonal Sweets
Hayward Market
Latina-owned mobile snack cart serving Mexican snacks and mini pancakes.