Farms to Grow, Inc.
Grow It, Eat It, Love It!
Pea Shelling Contest at Freedom Farmers Market
Freedom Farmers' Market Program
Extended Winter Season Market Hours
2nd Saturdays ONLY, December 11th - May 14th, (9am - 2pm), 4521 Telegraph Ave, Oakland (Shattuck Ave and 46th St.)
Affordable Organic Produce Grown by Black Farmers and other Under-served Farmers in California!
Dr. Gail Myers and Ken Shandy
FREEDOM FARMERS' MARKET - HISTORY
In 2013, at the invitation of the restaurant owner Ken Shandy of Brother's Kitchen, Farms to Grow, Inc. facilitated the creation of Oakland's Freedom Farmers' Market. First located on the parking lot of Brother's Kitchen, the market relocated in 2014 to 5316 Telegraph Ave. The Freedom Farmers' Market will open for the 8th season in collaboration with the Temescal Business District at 4521 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, (Shattuck Ave and 46th St.).
Our mission is to bring traditional legacy foods from Black farmers and other sustainable farmers into Oakland as we engage a community vibe of self-reliance, cooperative community development, and healthy sustainable environments for all.
The Freedom Farmers' Market was named by Dr. Gail Myers, co-founder of FTG, because of inspiration from the work of Fannie Lou Hamer's Freedom Farm, the Freedom Farmers' Market supports the idea of freedom to choose affordable local food and freedom to access fresh food grown by Black farmers.
In addition to a chance to meet some of California's Black farmers, at the marketplace you can return to experience our upcoming market events; the Crowder Pea Shell off, Watermelon "Weigh-in, Sweet Potato Pie Tasting and Budding Poet Contest and Healthy Soul Food Demos, Compost Education, Solar Education, Old School R&B -Jazz & Blues, play Bid Whist, Checkers, Chess, Dominoes and Build Community.
Freedom Farmers' Market Values
The Freedom Farmers' Market
Watermelon Eating Contest
VENDOR APPLICATION
Once you SUBMIT the "Vendor Application" we will send you an invoice to pay the vendor fee.
JOIN THE "FTG" VOLUNTEER TEAM
Freedom Farmers' Market Events
4521 Telegraph Ave (at Shattuck Ave & 46th St.)
January 8, 2022
A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King
FREE Children's Books
Feb 12, 2022
A Tribute to Dr. Geroge Washington Carver
Youth Interactive Science Lab
This is an interactive learning exhibit honoring the legacy of Dr. George Washington Carver as a farmer, artist, scientist, inventor, and teacher.
Books, Painting, Games, Puzzles and Dr. George Washington Carver original Sweet Potato recipes. FREE Children's Books
March, April, May: TBA
June 2022: Trash Art & Fashion Show
Make art and wearable fashion out of trash
Email marketing@farmstogrow.com for more information and signup.
Freedom Farmers' Market Events
2021 EVENTS
August
Saturday, August 7 - GAME DAY!
Farms to Grow, Inc. is committed to facilitating the economic and community development goals that have been identified below as market values.
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Local - maximizes local resources to meet local needs and invests in local programs
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Ecological - works in harmony with the environment and replenishes soil through growing and post-consumer compost
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Primary - provides for basic community need of access to safe, affordable, healthy food
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Fair - mutually beneficial to all members
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Inclusive - accessible to the whole community
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Interactive - creates opportunities for community interaction through the creation of a safe weekly community market
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Empowering - enables respectful work and positive cultural experiences for the community
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Educational - develops an informed community whose focus is health, wellness, and holistic development of local community,
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Reliant - on community support to purchase goods and services from underserved business owners.
Saturday, August 14th - 28th Chess Champ Competition
It's a Chess Game playoff, last person standing is the Freedom Farmers' Market Chess Champ. Opening game starts (chess board opens at 10 am)
Saturday, August 28th winner announced at 12 noon
September
Saturday, September 18th - Oakland International Film Festival
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The Oakland International Film Festival is an annual showcase of independent films from around the world including films “Made in Oakland”. On Saturday, September 18th, experience a virtual panel (9am - 2pm) and enjoy the screening of a collection of "Made In Oakland" film shorts beginning at 7:30 pm 4521 Telegraph Ave (Temescal District) To learn more visit: OIFF.org
October
Sat, Oct 2nd FFM - Budding Poet "Community Open Mic"
Suggested Topics: BIPOC Farmers, Environmental, Food, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Farming and Social Justice.
Market Day -Show up & Sign up: 10 am - 11:30 am
Community Open Mic: 11:30am - 1:30 pm
For more info email marketing@farmstogrow.com
Sat, Oct 16th - Variety Talent Show at the Freedom Farmers Market
Calling all dancers, poets singers, magicians, musicians, comedians, live art performers, scientist, inventors, and all talent. We would like to showcase your talent. Prize for the audiences favorite talent.
Sign up Window, Saturdays, September 11th -Oct 2nd, 10am - 1pm
Performances: Oct 16th, 11:30am - 1:30 pm
For more info email marketing@farmstogrow.com
Sat, Oct 30th - Kids Play at the Freedom Farmers Market-
CONNECT 4 Competition: 10 am - 12 pm
Dress up, Shop, Hang out & Engage in a Safe Place.
December 11th
Sweet Potato Pie Tasting Contest
By supporting farmers markets, you support a local economy and healthier sustainable agroecosystem. We believe that farmers markets are strategies communities can use to empower themselves to eat healthier.