The Mission Bay campus community will be able to get fresh, seasonal, local fruit at the new farmers’ market that debuts tomorrow, April 22.
With the success of the farmers’ market at the Parnassus campus, Campus Life Services and Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association are once again partnering to bring the Mission Bay campus the best of local produce. The farmers’ market at Parnassus, launched in May 2008, has proven to be a popular destination for students, faculty, staff and neighbors of the campus.
Vendors will be selling their organic and nonorganic fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers and more on the plaza on Gene Friend Way at UCSF Mission Bay.
The weekly market at Mission Bay will be held every Wednesday, April 22 to Nov. 25, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We think the Mission Bay campus is the perfect venue for our farmers’ market,” says Tamara Villarina, Retail Services assistant manager. “We are excited to promote wellness and offer a great service to the campus community and surrounding neighborhoods.”
John Silveira, director of Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association, agrees. “After seeing the success of the farmers’ market at the Mission Bay block party last year, we are really looking forward to bringing the best farm-fresh products to the 2009 Mission Bay certified farmers’ market,” he says. “This season, you’ll be seeing tree-ripened cherries, peaches and nectarines. We’ll do our best to provide comparative fruit tastings and some special events, like a summer recipe contest – with great prizes, of course.”
“I attended the farmers’ market during the last block party, and the energy on the Gene Friend Way plaza was a boost to community spirit,” says Jon Giacomi, director, Resource Planning and Management, Capital Programs & Facilities Management (CPFM). “I bought my first-ever orchid there, and several of our staff spent time there together for lunch. I’m looking forward to the farmers’ market as a regular event for our staff in the area.”
Doug Blumer and “Misisipi” Mike Wolf, well-known veterans of the Bay Area Americana music scene, will be providing lunchtime entertainment on opening day, April 22. Blumer works for CPFM in Genentech Hall. In the 1990s, Blumer was a founding member of the Westerleys, a national touring folk-pop act that still receives national radio airplay. He went on to lead the Beerhunters, a popular country band enjoyed by many UCSF staff members. Blumer and Wolf make good use of Americana music – including country, folk, rockabilly and bluegrass – as they perform original songs.
Public parking is available at the 1650 3rd Street public parking garage, located east of the plaza. Those who purchase $5 or more at the market will pay just $1.25 for the first two hours. Patrons should visit the market manager’s table to validate their parking tickets.
The market at Parnassus continues to be held every Wednesday, as well, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) breezeway atrium between Millberry Union and the ACC, 400 Parnassus Ave.
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