Mercado Mission
By Angela PennyThe Guardsman
Once a week, a dismal alleyway in the heart of the Mission transforms into “Mercado Communitario de la Mission,” or Mission Community Market, a vibrant farmer’s market and street fair.
Located on Bartlett Street between 21st and 22nd Streets, the market is directly across from Mission campus. It is held every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“The market originated from the Mission Streetscape Plan, a community-based planning process led by the San Francisco Planning Department,” the market’s manager, Jeremy Shaw said. “We wanted a local, non-profit market that could reflect and serve the Mission community and to run it independently.”
There are dozens of stations with fresh, organic produce from around the state. There are also musical performances, cooking, crafts and community organizing.
It’s in stark contrast to busy Mission Street offering Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits and McDonalds. Freed of cars, the alley widens into a colorful block where people can taste food, talk, shop and stroll aimlessly.
One patron, Patty Chavez, “ooh-ed” and “aah-ed” into her cell phone while surveying the variety of produce on one vendor's cart.
"I love it here," she said. "I'm from Mexico and the summer squash reminds me of my childhood."
The market is designed to promote, "healthy eating, economic development, and community programs," according to its colorful flier found on the market’s website.
Each week brings different vendors and special events. On Sept. 9, “The GMO Freakshow” was there. GMO refers to genetically modified organisms, which are used to create genetically modified food—the opposite of organic.
The trio of entertainers, also known as The Big Tadoo Puppet Crew, have been traveling around the country in a muraled bus powered by biodiesel fuel. The group comprises puppeteer Johnny Unite-us, beat-box-backed rapper MCC and folk singer Ariel Eisen
MCC spits eco-friendly lyrics like:
“There’ll be sustainable science
We’re returning to nature
We’re trying to evolve somehow
We’re evoking evolution, through evoking some solutions.
Now I find that chemicals are horrible to the streams,
They’re making dead zones in the oceans as it seems.
Pesticides are used accumulating on the land.
They’re making folks sick from what I understand.”
The market also partners with after-school and recreational programs to create a community space where children can gather.
A group of kids from Everett Middle School were at the market getting ready to do some break-dancing. They had drawn a white box on the black street and written “stage” in the middle of it. They belong to Mission Beacon, an after school community center.
"We like to take the kids out into the community," said family neighborhood organizer Theresa Alvarez.
The kids enjoy the market and everything it has to offer.
“I like the pupusas,” said 13-year-old Robert.
“Me too, I’m still eating one,” 14-year-old Gerardo said, opening his mouth to prove it.
The first market was held on July 23. Fundraising had to be done in advance to pay for all the city permits. It will cost approximately $10,000 annually to continue running the market.
There are only two paid staffers at the market, the rest are volunteers.
Volunteer Rebecca Hersh has participated since the planning stages. All along Bartlett Street, she drapes large white signs over the parking meters rendering them closed during the market’s operation.
"I feel like it's important to have affordable, healthy food available in the neighborhood," she said. “Every week it seems to get bigger and better.”
The market is helping the businesses in the neighborhood as well.
“We give out samples and on their way back (from the market) they stop and get some yogurt,” Yotopia employee Catherine Castro said. “I want to make and sell Pastelitos Dominicanos from my country, the Dominican Republic.”
Castro also mentioned that the market reminds her of her homeland at Christmas time.
Vendor tables at the market are relatively affordable, they cost $40 to $50 depending on what is being sold. For more information, you can visit http://www.missioncommunitymarket.org.
