Champions for Farmers, Food Access, and Education
What We Do
AIM serves 400+ farmers, food purveyors, and artisans from over 40 California counties who participate in AIM’s nine certified farmers markets in Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Point Reyes, San Rafael, and San Francisco. We are in the predevelopment stages of constructing a Center for Food and Agriculture: a visionary campus with a permanent outdoor Farmers Market and Food Innovation Hub for education, innovation, and food system growth.
We provide hands-on agricultural education programs to thousands of children and adults, operate a farm audit program, run a certified mobile farmers market, organize a beginning farmers market incubator program, and operate CalFresh/EBT and Market Match services to create a healthier, equitable food system across the San Francisco Bay Area. We are engaged in state and local food policy work to make sure our actions benefit the land, the people who grow our food, and the health of all communities.
Bringing fresh, local food to the Bay Area through nine Certified Farmers Markets
What makes an AIM Farmers Market? AIM’s Farm Audit and Integrity Programs verify that farmers and producers are selling what they grow, raise, or produce, while upholding California Certified Farmers Market standards and AIM’s own market rules. It’s part of what makes an AIM market different—and gives shoppers confidence that the food they buy comes directly from the people who produce it.
Our Programs
The Rollin’ Root
A mobile farmers market bringing seasonal produce, dairy, and other fresh, locally grown foods from AIM’s farmers markets directly to communities.
Diggin’ Education
Connect with AIM educators through a market tour, classroom visit, farm tour, or special event, bringing hands-on food and agriculture learning to your community.
Farm & Food Business Resources
Supports farmers, food producers, and agricultural entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and strengthening our regional food system.
Supporting Farmers & Conservation
Supports Sonoma and Marin farmers with conservation practices that build healthy soils, protect water, and strengthen local agriculture.
Farm Audit Integrity
Promotes transparency and market integrity while strengthening farm businesses through farmer and vendor audits.
Farm Fresh Nutrition Access
Makes fresh, nutritious, locally grown food more affordable and accessible through farmers markets and food benefit programs that support families and communities.
Minimal Waste Initiatives
Working to reduce waste at our farmers markets and throughout the local food system, from food recovery and waste diversion to reusable solutions and market education.
AIM’s Center for Food and Agriculture
A new permanent outdoor home for the Marin Farmers Market and a Food Innovation Hub for the future.
Our Story
From its early days in 1983 as one of the Bay Area's preeminent Farmers Markets, the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has evolved into one of California's leading advocates for regenerative and culturally-relevant food systems that provide access to food from the land and sea. Farmers markets connect eaters (and particularly the food-insecure) with local farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food producers. Through constant innovation and a global view of our food systems, AIM is positively impacting the climate crisis and promoting economic opportunity for under-resourced communities.
Today, we attract more than 400 farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food makers to our nine certified Farmers Markets throughout the Bay Area. We reach over approximately 2 million visitors through farmers markets and programs such as Diggin' Education, Bounty Box, Rollin' Root, USDA Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities, CalFresh & Market Match, training and technical assistance for farmers and small food businesses, racial equity fund, farmers market incubator booth, and policy-advocacy.
