The Free Farm Stand

Founded in January 2010, The Free Farm has grown and given away over 1,000 pounds of fresh organic produce within its first six months. It is part of a network of non-profit organizations in San Francisco, including Produce to the People, which harvests organic fruit from backyard trees and public spaces. The Free Farm Stand serves as a community hub, distributing surplus food from neighborhood gardens, farmer’s markets, and community gardens.

The Free Farm Stand emphasizes urban farming and community involvement. They gather surplus food from various sources, including neighborhood gardens, farmer’s markets, and public and private fruit trees. The farm also distributes plant starts and gardening advice to encourage local food production. Their approach minimizes waste by encouraging visitors to bring their own bags and by distributing produce in a farmer’s market style.

The Free Farm Stand operates every Sunday from 11:30am to 12:30pm at Parque Niños Unidos in San Francisco. They host gardening and urban homesteading workshops and welcome community, school, and religious groups. The All in Common Garden, located nearby, is open to visitors on Sundays and Tuesdays. The project is volunteer-run and supported by grants, such as one from the Rose Foundation to build a greenhouse for growing vegetable and flower starts.