2023 Impact Report
Celebrating 40 Years
AIM’s mission is to educate, inspire, and connect communities, farmers, and producers in order to create a healthy, Earth-friendly, equitable local and regional food and agricultural system.
“Agriculture
is more than farming,
it’s feeding.”
CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS
We are champions for farmers and food justice.
We show up at the farmers markets, making sure our actions benefit the land, the people who grow our food, and the health of all communities.
AIM serves 440+ farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from over 44 California counties who participate in AIM’s nine certified farmers markets in Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Point Reyes, San Rafael, and San Francisco.
The Farmers Market Family
2023 Annual Participant Summary
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small to midsize farmers, ranchers, fishers, food makers, and artisans who participate at our farmers markets
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market participants grow and produce food in over 40 of the 58 California counties
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shoppers served each week across our nine farmers markets, located in three Bay Area counties
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visitors reached through our farmers markets and programs, fostering connections between consumers and producers
FARM-FRESH NUTRITION ACCESS
Everyone belongs at the table
AIM farmers markets provide an equitable outlet for local communities to access healthy, nutritious foods grown on nearby farms. At AIM’s farmers markets, we accept CalFresh/EBT food stamps, and offer a “Market Match,” an incentive program which offers shoppers double value for fresh fruits and vegetables – up to $15 per day.
In 2023, AIM processed 44,000 EBT transactions among shoppers of low-income at our farmers markets for the purchase of free local fruits and vegetables. 89% of EBT card holders attend the farmers market on a weekly basis.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer, and is federally known as SNAP, and formerly called food stamps.
Expanding Access to Fresh, Local Food
Making fresh, local food more affordable by helping shoppers increase their buying power to meet their households’ nutritional needs.
Market Match Distributed
CalFresh/EBT Distributed
Market Match and CalFesh/ EBT Growth Since 2020
Market Match
CalFresh / EBT
Through partnerships with County WIC and the local Area Agency on Aging, AIM enables WIC families and older adults to purchase fresh produce using seasonal vouchers. Older adults also receive “Bonus Bucks” to further encourage buying local fruits and vegetables.
In 2023, AIM piloted a California Fruit and Veggie $60 EBT program at the Grand Lake Farmers Market, testing EBT-based produce incentives. While the pilot highlighted interest, we identified technological challenges in applying this model efficiently at farmers markets and reverted to traditonal market match.
THE ROLLIN’ ROOT
A Farmers Market on Wheels
In 2023, AIM strengthened its star food access program,The Rollin’ Root, a mobile market delivering farm-fresh food and nutrition education to older adults and underserved communities in Marin and San Francisco counties, overcoming transportation and economic barriers.
Stocked with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and select pantry items from local farmers, The Rollin’ Root marked its sixth year by focusing service on low-income senior housing and areas with limited fresh food access. This year, we served approximately 7,349 participants.
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shoppers reached on average per week at The Rollin' Root
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older adults and residents in low-access areas served annually
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dollars distributed in Calfresh EBT benefits for free produce
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dollars sold of fresh produce through the Rollin’ Root
