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by Kevin Epps
A milestone for food security
The Bayview Hunters Point community marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of the Food Empowerment Community Market, a pioneering initiative aimed at providing free, healthy and multicultural groceries to residents of District 10.
This area has long faced challenges with food insecurity and limited access to nutritious food. Mayor London N. Breed, alongside the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA) and Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services, inaugurated the 4,000 square foot market.
Having officially opened its doors on June 5, the market is expected to serve approximately 4,500 community members, offering not just groceries but also connections to vital social services and resources. “Equitable access to fresh and healthy food options is critical for communities to thrive and to ensure we take care of the city’s most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Breed.
Addressing food deserts
Bayview Hunters Point, identified as a food desert, lacks reliable access to grocery stores and fresh food. The 94124 zip code is one of San Francisco’s lowest income neighborhoods.
The District 10 Community Market, inspired by successful models in Santa Barbara and Nashville, focuses on providing dignified and choice-driven food assistance. Trent Rhorer, executive director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA), emphasized the importance of this approach: “By offering families and people with dietary restrictions the ability to choose healthy and culturally appropriate food options for themselves, we minimize food waste while also providing a better experience for residents.”
Community eligibility and impact
The market is open to low income residents of the 94124, 94107 or 94134 zip codes who receive public assistance or meet other low income criteria and who have children or diet-related illnesses. They must also be referred by a community organization in the market’s referral network. “This market brings more dignity and choice to food distribution in San Francisco,” said Cathy Davis, executive director of Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services. “We are so grateful for all of the partnerships and support to make this dream a reality – it truly took a village to make it happen!”
District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton highlighted the community impact, saying, “This empowerment market provides families with choices, not only by offering free and quality food but also by ensuring they can shop with dignity.”
Over the past nine months, a temporary grocery program at Bayview Senior Services’ Carroll Avenue location served about 380 households. These families are now immediately eligible to access the new market. The participant demographics reflect the diversity of the Bayview Hunters Point community. By June 2025, the market is expected to serve 1,500 households a month, equating to around 4,500 community members, making a significant impact on food security and community health in Bayview Hunters Point.
Geoffrea Morris: Championing dignity and health
Attorney Geoffrea Morris, reflecting on the initiative, said: “Presentation matters, and just because you are low income and experiencing food insecurity, you deserve to have quality food put together in a way that is pleasing to the eye, nourishing and enjoyable. There are significant health disparities in District 10, and we hope that this market will make people healthier and bring more pride and home cooking back to our communities, ensuring a healthier future generation of residents.”
The Bay View’s executive editor and Hunters Point’s favorite son, filmmaker Kevin Epps, is best known for the game-changing “Straight Outta Hunters Point” and for “Black Rock,” “Rap Dreams,” “Fam Bam” and more. He has collaborated on projects with Google, Yahoo, Discovery Channel, Current TV and a host of other media partners. He was awarded an artist fellowship by the world renowned de Young Museum. His passion for advocacy for his community is legendary. He can be reached at kevin@sfbayview.com.
