The Downtown Market

The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-6pm May through October and 1-5pm November through April. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy.

The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.

Market Match

The Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market has received funding to offer the MARKET MATCH DOUBLE-UP SPECIAL through May 2023! A big thank you to the City of Santa Cruz for this support. CalFresh/EBT participants receive two Market Match tokens for every EBT token for the first $10 of EBT swiped at market. Ten dollars of EBT becomes $30 to spend in the market ($10 EBT/$20 Match), $7 of EBT becomes $21 ($7 EBT/$14 Match), $20 of EBT becomes $40 ($20 EBT/$20 Match). The matching tokens must be used for fresh fruits and vegetables. We’re always seeking funding and support to extend this service.

The goal of this program is to encourage CalFresh/EBT recipients to take advantage of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets. By offering an incentive that makes fresh produce more affordable we help shoppers stretch their food dollars and provide nutritious food for themselves and their families. This program also improves the economy for small farms in our region.

Music

We are fortunate to have many talented music spend time with us busking at this market in the heart of the City of Santa Cruz.

The Foodshed Project Series

The Foodshed Project (FSP) is an education and outreach program of SCCFM which highlights the significant work being rolled out by SCCFM farmers, food artisans and community partners in the nearest regions of our foodshed. Find details regarding the series here.

Non-Profits & Political Action Tables

Tabling is available on a first-come-first-serve basis in four designated spots along the Toadal Fitness wall at the Downtown SC Market. These are largely reserved for non-for-profits and other organizations and individuals spreading the word about community services and issues. For-profit businesses are not permitted. No group is permitted to sell anything ever nor give away any item that competes with goods sold at the markets. For more information click this LINK and scroll toward the bottom.