Every Wednesday morning farmers set up booths at the Downtown San Jose Farmers Market to sell their fresh and locally grown produce. 

Some San Jose residents come to this market regularly, while others stumble upon the event as they walk around the city. It’s also a popular spot among San Jose State University students, and nearby employees since the school and office buildings are across from the Hammer Theater plaza. 

The market hosts a variety of vendors. Residents can buy strawberries, donut peaches, toffee, traditional conchas, soaps, a hot plate of Thai food, kettle corn, jewelry, and half-pound cookies. 

Christian Hutton, a fourth-year student at SJSU, attends the market when he can. Hutton said the market is “better than going to a grocery store” due to the community and reasonable pricing. 

Two individuals stroll through a sunny outdoor market with a dog, passing vendor stalls under white and green canopies.
Dogwalkers browse the Downtown Farmers Market, walking along the Paseo de San Antonio in San Jose on Wednesday morning, June 10, 2026. Closed for three years during the pandemic, the market it enjoying its second year next to the Hammer Theatre. (Haley Lillibridge/Mosaic via Bay City News)

The Regional Farmers’ Market Association hosts the market to give small businesses a chance to sell to their community. Paolo Obillo, the manager of this organization makes sure prices are reasonable when recruiting sellers. Maria Lopez, of Lopez Family Farm, said they keep their products cheaper at this specific market to keep organic fruits available to students.

Obillo also avoids competition between vendors by making sure each person selling has unique specialty products. 

A person in a blue hoodie and cap observes as another person holds up a jar filled with colorful ingredients under a pop-up tent.
Lily Guo (right) hands out samples of products from the Leafory Tea stand at the Downtown Farmers Market in the Hammer Theatre Plaza in San Jose on Wednesday morning, June 17, 2026. It was Leafory Tea’s first time selling at the market. (Haley Lillibridge/Mosaic via Bay City News)

For example, what sets the California Bakeshop aside from Baby Tiger Bakery is their savory baked goods such as empanadas, and flat breads while Baby Tiger Bakery is popular for their traditional Mexican conchas. 

Despite the market reopening in Hammer Theater plaza only in April last year, the weekly event has built a connection between vendors and the surrounding community.  Many regulars describe the community as uplifting, friendly and vibrant. 

Haley Lillibridge is a member of the class of 2027 at De Anza Community College in Cupertino.

Editor’s note: This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Program for Bay Area high school students, an intensive course in journalism. Students in the program report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.