What a year!

2009 has been a year of innovation and accomplishment for CUESA.  Despite the recent economic downturn, we have completed all projects on time and within budget.  Most education programs are supported entirely by small sponsorships and individual donations from community members like you. We plan to further expand our efforts next year, including bringing programs and expertise out into the community as well as increasing training opportunities for market sellers. But we can't do it alone. Make a donation today >

Below is a list of CUESA’s top achievements of the past year.

• Continued to create popular, inspiring education programs, including
• 48 Market to Table cooking demonstrations at the Saturday market
• 10 celebrations of seasonal foods (including tastings, hands-on activities, and displays)
• 4 tours of farms and food businesses, offering a first-hand look at how food is produced
• 4 panel discussions that bring audiences face to face with food and sustainability experts
• Dozens of presentations to visiting school groups
• Additional fact sheets on sustainable food and agriculture issues
• An informative weekly e-letter that now reaches over 8,500 readers worldwide
• A comprehensive website receiving over 50,000 visits each month

• Unveiled a new year-round Thursday market that features family farms selected for their quality produce and land stewardship, as well as a wide array of sustainable street food vendors

• Rescued 90% of the farmers’ market trash from the landfill by teaching shoppers and tourists which materials can be recycled and composted

• Implemented a plastic bag ban at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, supported by extensive education and outreach efforts — making CUESA a national leader in the rapidly expanding movement of waste wise farmers’ markets

• Received a WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program) award from the California Integrated Waste Management Board for "exceptional waste reduction efforts"

• Co-organized and co-hosted the prestigious International Public Markets Conference, with attendees from 38 states and 14 nations.

• Started a new Food Wise Booth at the Tuesday market, where visitors can sample easy, budget-friendly, seasonal recipes and get answers to their culinary queries

• Began offering hands-on cooking and food preservation classes (like cheese making & canning)

• Introduced thousands of shoppers to new foods and sustainable agriculture concepts at our Education Station at the Saturday market

• Adopted a new strategic plan, which includes a commitment to inspire and support market sellers in becoming more sustainable as defined by CUESA’s Sustainability Frameworks, the first of their kind among market operators

• Expanded the market seller scholarship fund.  Supported by individual donations and a small start-up grant, this fund enables market sellers to attend conferences and trainings that help them reach their sustainability goals