Orinda's Saturday farmers market drew 27% more visitors in the first five months of 2026 than the same period a year earlier, according to a performance report headed to the city's Downtown Revitalization and Planning Subcommittee on Monday, Aug. 10.
The market welcomed an estimated 7,643 visitors across 21 market days from January through May, up from 5,584 during the same stretch in 2025. The per-day average climbed to 344 shoppers, a 29% jump from 266 the year before.
March was the strongest month. It averaged 413 visitors per Saturday. The single busiest day was April 4, when the Annual Spring Egg Hunt pulled 584 people to Orinda Village, a 25% increase over the same event in 2025. The slowest day, April 11, still drew 154 visitors despite heavy rain.
Market Match expands
The market's nutrition-incentive program also grew. Market Match, which provides a dollar-for-dollar match for CalFresh and EBT recipients spending on fresh produce, raised its per-visit cap from $10 to $15 on April 25. Average daily encounters jumped from eight to 12 after the increase.
The expansion was funded through a Community Impact Fund award from Contra Costa County District 2 Supervisor Candace Anderson, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Orinda. The city's agenda package describes participants as "largely Orinda seniors" who get "the bulk of their weekly produce" through the program.
The Market Match program served 34 unique participants across 198 encounters between January and May, distributing $2,403 in SNAP/EBT funds and $1,900 in matching dollars.
Statewide, Market Match funding was not included in the governor's proposed fiscal year 2026–2027 budget and is projected to run out in early 2027, according to the Agricultural Institute of Marin. That makes local funding sources like Anderson's award critical for the Orinda program's continuity.
33 vendors, two from Orinda
The market hosted 33 producers during the period: nine farmers, 10 prepared-food vendors, four hot-food vendors, three bakeries, two beverage vendors, one food truck and four artisans. Orinda-based vendors included Farmor's Dressing, a CCOF Certified Organic producer, and Orinda Woodworking. Rojas Family Farms earned new organic certification during the period.
The report also notes a "steady increase in attendance among families with young children, particularly those between the ages of 3 and 8," driven by weekly art activities themed around holidays including Lunar New Year, Nowruz and Mother's Day.
What's next
The subcommittee, chaired by Mayor Brandyn Iverson and Councilmember Cara Hoxie, meets at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, in the Sarge Littlehale Community Room at 22 Orinda Way. The farmers market data is Agenda Item C.3, alongside updates on Thursday Nights in Orinda and Library Terrace activation strategies.
Residents can submit public comment by email to [email protected] or attend in person.
