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Fresno Green Supports Local Farmers
September 4, 2008
By Sophia Pagoulatos,  Interim Planning Manager, City of Fresno Planning & Development Department 

In spite of the fact that Fresno is one of the most productive agricultural regions of the world, it has fewer farmers markets than many other California cities.  Why? One reason is that until recently, the city’s zoning code did not actually define “farmers markets”, so establishing one has been very difficult, and even impossible, under the city’s regulations.

However, the Fresno Green strategy, launched under the leadership of Mayor Alan Autry and Council member Henry T. Perea on Earth Day of 2007, calls for promoting public health and the environmental benefits of supporting locally grown and organic foods.  Under this directive, City of Fresno planning staff has partnered with Fresno Metro Ministries and Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program, along with other farmer’s market stakeholders, to amend the zoning code to define farmers markets and allow them in all commercial zones and even the most basic residential zone district R-1 (with a conditional use permit). By allowing farmers markets in residential areas, fresh food can be available in neighborhoods, where it is most needed.

An additional benefit of the new rules is more economic opportunities for small local farmers, many of whom have travelled to the Bay Area to sell their produce.  Now that Fresno’s rules are more permissive, the hope is to encourage these local farmers to stay closer to home and sell here in Fresno.

The new code changes took effect in mid-August, 2008, and the planning department has already received several inquiries for new farmers markets.  By building our local food system, more small farmers can thrive, the environment can be improved by reduction in food transport, and public health will be enhanced by fresh food.

For more information, contact Sophia Pagoulatos, ROC 2007 Fellow and Interim Planning Manager, City of Fresno Planning & Development Department at (559) 621-8062.
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