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. 

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 

UVFM currently operates year ‘round Certified Farmers’ Markets in Downtown Oakland (Old Oakland – Friday, 8:00am-2:00pm), Downtown Sunnyvale (Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm), and Downtown Campbell (Sunday, 9:00-1:00pm).  Our seasonal Farmers’ Markets (May-October) include Downtown Los Altos (Thursday, 4:00pm-8:00pm), Downtown Santa Clara (Sunday, 9:00am-1:00pm), and in the Evergreen district of San Jose at Mirassou Vineyards (Sunday, 10:00am-2:00pm). 

Board of Directors
 
 

Robert Wieckowski (President) – Council Member, City of Fremont. Member of  California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets; Served on City of Fremont Planning Commission; Chair of Tri-City Ecology Center; served as City of Fremont Recreation Commissioner; Attorney at Law in Fremont, CA.

Joey Altman - Restaurateur, Chef / owner of The Wild Hare Restaurant, Menlo Park, CA.  Host of Bay Café television show KRON-TV.

Gregory Beccio - of Happy Boy Farms, Freedom, CA

Jesse Cool - Restaurateur, Chef /Owner of Flea Street Café & JZ Cool, Menlo Park, CA. San Jose Mercury Food Columnist and organic farming advocate. Cool Eatz Home Page - Cookbooks by Jesse Cool

Phil Foster - Farmer participant in Farmers’ Markets.  Owner, Pinnacle Brand Organic Produce, Hollister, CA. Past President (‘94-’95) and current Treasurer of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Treasurer for Organic Farm Research Foundation (OFRF).

Kathryn Foster - Farmer participant in Farmers’ Markets. Owner, Pinnacle Brand Organic Produce, Hollister, CA. School Teacher.

Bob Swanson - Field Representative for Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley.  Board of Directors, Spectrum Community Services.  Served on committee to rewrite the Castro Valley General Plan.

Elena Voiron - Owner of Ratto’s International Deli in Oakland, CA 

Gilbert Yerena - Farmer participant in Farmers’ Markets. Owner of Yerena Farm, Watsonville, CA

		Executive Director:  Ron Pardini with  Carved Pumpkin

Economic and Community Development

Loyola University New Orleans - New study reveals how farmers markets stimulate regional economic development

Loyola University ECOnomics Institute - Catalysts for Growth: farmers markets as a stimulus for economic development
 

University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP)

Farmers' Market Study

A Case Study of the Davis Farmer's Market:  Connecting Farms and Community

A Case Study of the Stockton Farmers' Market: An Urban Community Market
 

Urban Village Farmers' Market Association Supports Financially:
C.C.O.F.
CALIF. COALITION FOR FOOD AND FARMING
CENTER FOR ECOLITERACY
CHEZ PANISSE FOUNDATION
SECOND HARVEST
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE W/FAMILY FARMS
FREMONT EDUCATION FOUNDATION
LOAVES & FISHES
LOCAL HARVEST
MISSION CITY
OM ORGANICS
ORGANIC FARMERS RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SAGE CENTER
SLOW FOOD
SPECTRUM COMMUNITY SERVICES
THE ECOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOC.