West Oakland Now Has Its Own Farmers Market
As of June, West Oakland now has its own Farmers Market. We sat down with the creator of the market to learn more about what makes this one unique and what the future holds for this new event. Currently, the market features 45-50 vendors including local, seasonal growers, pasture-raised meats, eggs, dairy, cheese, bakeries, fresh seafood and oysters, flowers, and street foods including food trucks, local artisans, and live music.
West Oakland Farmers Market – open year around, every Sunday 10am-2pm – Cover art created by @illuminaries @emagn1
Located on Peralta Street between 18th and 20th streets, the Market will be open year-round every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This new farmers market is just about a city block long but there are huge plans for expansion ahead. While smaller than some others, there is the perfect blend of your market staples, such as local farmers, barkers, and other small businesses. You’ll also find a small performance space at the end of the block with Oakland performers such as hip-hip artists (easy2bnasty was performing the day I went) along with spoken word performers.
Harv Singh started The West Oakland Farmers Market. This isn’t his first time creating a market or working with local farmers which made it easier for this one to come together. He worked with Whole Foods Market(WFM) for 10 years when building their local forager program. During that time, he mentored hundreds of small emerging brands so that they could get onto the shelves of WFM. His love for farmers markets started well before his work with WFM.
“I left in 2016 to start my own consultancy business and worked on developing brands like Alexandre Family Farm, an organic A2 dairy company, but ultimately missed working with the small vendor community so I went back to the farmers market world where it all began for me. I ran my first farmers market in Port Townsend, WA, a small Victorian seaport community in Pacific NW in 2000. Came back to the Bay Area in 2006, started a farmers market in San Ramon and at the same time got the WFM gig. The markets represent something very special to me. It’s a place where real connections happen and the outcome is direct, creating real economic value for small local growers and producers. The interactions that occur between growers, vendors, and the greater community is magical!” recalled Singh
Harv Singh (right) is all smiles with others at the market – photo from the West Oakland Farmers Market Instagram
Creating and connecting community is really what it’s all about for Singh. He wanted to create West Oakland Farmers Market to bring the community together as well as give healthy food options for the neighborhood.
“West Oakland is a food desert. Our number one goal is to address the lack of accessibility to fresh, healthy foods in the neighborhood, especially for lower-income population. Our market is authorized to accept WIC and EBT cards which are government programs to help communities purchase eligible healthy foods from the market.
The vision of the market is to cultivate a strong sense of community that will bring positive change and uplifts the Prescott West Oakland neighborhood.”
Customer holding Rise Up Bakery bread- photo from the West Oakland Farmers Market Instagram
We were the first to find out from Singh that there are plans to build a food hall which will be at 1620-40 18th Street next to the famers market. It will will focus on small, emerging local food makers led by our main sponsor srmERNST Development Partners. They are still in the beginning stages but, according to Singh, so far it’s looking very positive and will complement the farmers market as well as also help bring in more food options into the neighborhood. While I was in the neighborhood, I was able to try out Kowbird, which is located just at the far end of the market. Their chicken sandwich is for sure something I will be getting the next time I head down to that market. I loved that there is a brick-and-mortar business getting more foot traffic on a Sunday because the market is right there.
Javier from JSM Organics a farmer who has a booth at the market- photo from the JSM Organics Instagram
During the planning process, Singh worked with Council-member Carrol Fife who reassured us them that the market was the right move and supported us 100% with the permitting and legal process with the City. After the permits were all solidified, Singh was sure to bring in a ton of neighborhood businesses to make sure the weekly event always put West Oakland first. Now, City of Oakland is a sponsor (supported by Carrol fife’s office). Singh says that he couldn’t have done any of this without their support.
“We reached out to a ton of neighborhood businesses, growers, and artisans in West Oakland and beyond. We made it a huge priority to source from black-owned businesses. Great people with awesome products like Zakiyyah Shaheed-Muhammad from Baby Bean Pie, Azikiwee Anderson of Rizeup Bakery, MarQuita, “the Black Martha Stewart” of That’s My Jam, an Oakland native; Rachel Russell of Chestnut Granola, Elliott Johnson of Goldi’s Spices, Princess Sims of The Final Sauce, Reggie Borders and Nicole Felix of Pound Bizness; Oakland native and Pastry Chef Eva Allen of Full Belly Bakery, David Smith of Kid Creole, Jeanna Garrett and Justice Chambers of Soul Blends Coffee Roaster, Khaled Almaghafi of Bee Healthy Honey, to name a few,” says Singh.
Vender Goldi’s Gourmet Spices – photo from the West Oakland Farmers Market Instagram
What’s next for West Oakland Farmers Market?
Right now, Singh is focusing on supporting the growth of the market by getting the word out. He feels it’s important to bring positivity, to uplift the community of West Oakland.
Singh loves hosting markets. He tells me with a smile that runs from ear to ear, “Markets are super fun! It’s like throwing a weekly party for your community. The interactions that occur are meaningful and real. We’re creating a personal connection to your food source. You get to know where your food comes from, how it was grown or made. I love to see people stroll to the market, and grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee and pastry from the local baker to begin the day. Then they hit the produce stands for seasonally grown fruits and vegetables. And then they might hit one of our street food vendors for some authentic Cuban food or BBQ oysters! It’s a wonderful party every week! A community celebration of local food and farms!”
‘Prescott’ West Oakland Farmers Market is set to have weekly live music, chef demos, market festivals, and more.
Learn more about the market by visiting them here:
Website: www.westoaklandfarmersmarket.org
IG: @westoaklandfarmersmarket
Facebook: @westoaklandfarmersmarket
WIC/EBT accepted!
Cover art created by @illuminaries @emagn1
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