Upper Haight Farmers' Market Debuts in Golden Gate Park

By Jonathan Kauffman Thu., Apr. 29 2010 at 10:23 AM

Categories: Farm Fresh, Market Report

A market in the trees.

Yesterday marked the launch of the new Upper Haight Farmers' Market on an unused access road/parking lot just off Stanyan at Waller. Market organizers estimate that 1,500 people showed up to shop in the shadow of cedars and eucalyptus trees ― not bad considering the recurring showers.

The market is part of the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association, which runs seven other neighborhood markets in the city and 49 more around the Bay Area. It's the first farmers market to be held on San Francisco Rec and Park land, made possible last fall when Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi pushed through legislation dropping rental fees.

If the location was new, the scene was familiar ― balloons and baby beets, strawberries and strollers, with a jam band trying to sound festive and customers lugging canvas totes sprouting kale.

According to regional manager Elizabeth Howe, vendors making their first San Francisco appearance at the Upper Haight market are Holding Ranch, which sells grass-fed beef and lamb, free-range chickens and eggs, and Berkshire pork, as well as Organic Pastures, a raw milk dairy producer located near Fresno. Other familiar names: jam maker Blue Chair Fruit, cookie masters Applebaum Bakery, stone-fruit grower Kashiwase Farms [FB page], Scream Sorbet, and Swanton Berry Farm. Next week, the market should grow to 24 vendors, and there's room for more expansion.

Upper Haight Farmers' Market Stanyan at Waller, Weds. 4-8 p.m., April 28-Oct. 27

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