I want to support the Farmers Market at the Civic Center in San Francisco, and I plan to go to the rally today and then to City Hall for the press conference afterwards.  But I wonder about the way it's being promoted with "City relocating and downsizing..." because this 42-year Heart of the City market is being moved one block west at Fulton Plaza, a location larger by 10,000 square feet, according to Daniel Montes, the spokesperson for Parks and Rec.

I think the demands are good if the change really means what's implied here.  Will they have to park their vehicles off site, or will that 10,000 square feet more of space make it possible for them to park where they've always parked--behind their booths? Will the infrastructure be so different?  Will they need new canopies and stronger weights for them?

1. 6-month pilot with benchmarks that can measure the success or failure of project/relocation.
2. Extra security for vehicles parked off site.
3. Adequate infrastructure including running water, sufficient lighting for early morning set up, anchors to tie down canopies.
4. Financial compensation to farmers for the burden/costs of the move. (Costs could include extra weights for canopies, new canopies since some are not strong enough for wind without tie downs, dollies, carts, extra help for unloading/restocking and loading)
5. Allocated space for market/vendor expansion to financially sustainable levels.

David Elliot Lewis, who's co-chair of the Tenderloin People's Congress, is the main organizer of the rally, according to the SF Examiner.

Steve Pulliem, the executive director of the Farmers Market, isn't attending the rally and doesn't officially support it.  But he's the one who's come up wit the demands.  Some farmers are alarmed because they were told it would be a pilot project for 6 months, and now they're saying two years.