Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association, a Non-profit Mutual Benefit Corporation, was formed March 1997 to provide the best possible opportunity for farmers, food vendors, and community members to preserve, enhance, and enjoy regional fresh quality foods. UVFM’s mission is to promote the family farm; help protect the local environment by sustaining and restoring surrounding greenbelt areas; and above all, to help build real community by fostering economic and social ties between producers and consumers.
Bringing Communities Together
We have enjoyed the role of bringing California’s agriculture and urban communities together for their mutual benefit, increased communication, and shared education. Our presence as a key educational medium for schools, environmental causes, and health and nutrition programs has been rewarding.
The Certified Farmers’ Markets have become important harmonious community meeting places, blending the various and diverse neighborhoods, which builds a strong sense of community. The Urban Village Farmers’ Markets have been instrumental in many cities successful efforts to revitalize economically and socially depressed downtown areas.
It is also gratifying to be instrumental in preserving the diversity of California agriculture by providing profitable marketing outlets for the small acreage growers of heirloom, culinary, ethnic, organic, and other specialty crops not widely grown on a large scale, or found at traditional food sources.
Zero-Waste Zones
In January 2010, all Urban Village Farmers’ Markets stopped using plastic grocery bags. Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags, and biodegradable bags are also be available for purchase at the market. Recycling and compost receptacles can now be found at every market location, and Urban Village hopes to eventually make our markets Zero-Waste zones, where all packaging can be either recycled or composted!
Year ’Round Markets
UVFM currently operates the following year ’round Certified Farmers’ Markets:
- California Avenue, Palo Alto (Sunday 9:00am–1:00pm)
- Campbell (Sunday, 9:00am–1:00pm)
- Montclair Village, Oakland (Sunday, 9:00am–1:00pm)
- Old Oakland (Friday, 8:00am–2:00pm)
- Santa Clara (Saturday, 9:00am–1:00pm)
- Sunnyvale (Saturday, 9:00am–1:00pm)
- Temescal District, Oakland (Sunday, 9:00am–1:00pm)
Seasonal Markets
Our seasonal Farmers’ Markets (May–September) include:
- Cambrian Park, San Jose (Wednesday, 4:00pm–8:00pm)
- Castro Valley (Saturday, 9:00am–1:00pm)
