While most of San Francisco sleeps, a cluster of Bayview warehouses becomes the center of its food world. Now SF Market, the city's wholesale produce market, has approval to grow.
What was approved
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Board of Supervisors took final action on File No. 260881. The resolution amends and restates the city's lease with the San Francisco Market Corporation for the market near 2095 Jerrold Avenue. It also allows separate parcel leases to secure private construction loans. The Budget and Finance Committee recommended it on Oct. 21.
The San Francisco Standard reports that the changes allow a 64,000-square-foot distribution center at 1900 Kirkwood St. It would be the market's first addition since its last new building opened more than a decade ago. An outdated, mostly vacant property on the site would be demolished.
How the market works
Trucks start arriving around 11 p.m., six days a week, the Standard reports. By 3 a.m. buyers are shopping produce from more than 350 regional farmers. The market traces its roots to the 1870s and has been on city-owned land in the Bayview for 63 years. Nearly two dozen merchants with more than 500 employees sell to restaurants, grocers, caterers and corner stores. They also donate more than 4,000 pounds of produce a day to 15 nonprofits.
The city leases the land to the nonprofit for free. In return, the market reinvests its proceeds in its operations.
Timeline and cost
Executive director Michael Janis told the Standard that the project will cost tens of millions of dollars. Funding would come from profits, government money including a $5 million state grant, and low-interest loans. He expects to break ground in the first half of 2027 and finish the building about 15 months later.