Marin Voice: Celebrating National Farmers Market Week

August 4, 2024

While the Bay Area sleeps, for farmers like Annabelle Lenderink of Star Route Farms, the day starts at 2:30 am. As Farm Manager for Star Route Farms—the oldest continuously certified organic farm in California—Annabelle rubs the sleep from her eyes, takes her first sip of coffee, and gets ready to head to the farmers market. It’s 11 miles as the crow flies from their 40-acre farm in Bolinas to San Rafael, where they sell their high quality fruits and vegetables every Thursday and Sunday at the Marin Civic Center Farmers Markets hosted by the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM). Farming since 1989, and with Star Route Farms since 1998, Annabelle knows first-hand the benefits of farmers markets. Recently harvested, local foods are fresher and have more nutrients when they naturally ripen compared to foods that travel long distance. Annabelle loves seeing her regular customers to share recipes and farming practices. The community feeling and conversation makes the early mornings worth it.  

Annabelle is one of thousands of California’s farmers who you’ll find at farmers markets every week. This year marks the 25th anniversary of National Farmers Market Week (August 4th – 10th ), and I want to thank our local food heroes: the people who grow, raise, produce, and catch our food. At AIM—a Bay Area 501c3 non-profit organization that manages 9 certified farmers markets and a mobile farmers market across Marin County, San Francisco, and East Bay--we work diligently to build a local food system that is economically viable, environmentally beneficial, and socially just. Farmers markets are core to our mission, connecting 400+ producers with over 2 million annual visitors.  

Farmers markets benefit the environment by shortening the distance from farm to table; shorter food miles mean less carbon emissions. Small family farmers and ranchers demonstrate great care for their land and livestock through organic and climate-smart agricultural practices. Markets benefit the economy; sales at farmers markets return more than three times as much of their revenue to the local economy than do chain competitors. Farmers markets create a welcoming public commons, allowing shoppers to try foods grown and produced from across the California foodshed, meet craft artists, and enjoy social connections. Farmers markets are a cure for loneliness; many people call the farmers market their “church” or weekly source of joy.   

But, farmers markets don’t just happen. They take careful planning and management from dedicated farmers market managers who transform empty parking lots and closed streets into thriving marketplaces year-round, rain or shine. Farmers must be certified by their county agricultural commissioner, and food makers must pass inspections by environmental health departments. 

At AIM’s farmers markets, we are proud to accept CalFresh (Food stamps) and provide up to $15 in “Market Match” to stretch food dollars for the purchase of local fruits and vegetables. AIM recently lobbied and secured victory in Sacramento to save Market Match, a program that was on the chopping block in a difficult budget year.  

As we look towards the future of farmers markets, we recognize that through education, policy change, and community food access, we can ensure that farmers markets:  (1) respond to a changing climate and reduce waste, (2) promote inclusion and equity for producers and shoppers of diverse backgrounds, and (3) preserve farming and food production will continue as a way of life.  

I also invite you to join me at AIM’s signature event Gather for the Planet on September 14th, 2024 from 4:30 - 8p at Black Mountain Ranch near Point Reyes Station for an outdoor culinary journey celebrating the diversity of AIM's nine farmers markets. We’ll honor our food heroes and raise funds for the future of farmers markets during this climate crisis. We will unveil the new model of our future home: Center for Food and Agriculture, which will be located at the Marin Civic Center and be the permanent home for the Marin Farmers Market and a Learning Center dedicated to a healthier food culture. You can learn more at: https://www.gatherfortheplanet.org/ 

There’s one thing we can all do to change the world – and that’s to shop our local farmers market.  

Andy Naja-Riese 
Chief Executive Officer 
Agricultural Institute of Marin  

Published August 5th, 2024 in the Marin Independent Journal Marin Voice: “Honoring county agriculture during Farmers Market Week." and then link to the original article in the IJ.