The Central California Food Bank (CCFB) and Fresno Rescue Mission have teamed up with twenty nonprofit organizations throughout the Central Valley to provide those in need with numerous free services and resources, including the Fruits First Market. This cost-free market is in the heart of Fresno, located near Dakota and Blackstone in the brand-new City Center building.
According to the City Center’s website, the facility is intended to “redefine crisis intervention with its purpose-built facilities.” The center aims to offer spaces to help address larger issues that affect Fresno residents, such as human trafficking and, of course, food scarcity.
The market’s doors open bright and early at 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and close at 2:30 p.m. According to Selma Sanchez, the Fruits First Market coordinator, “as soon as we open in the morning, we already have over 100 people waiting.”
As of Sept. 20, the Fruits First Market will be celebrating its first year of providing Fresno with healthy groceries to “upwards of 29,000 families,” Sanchez noted.
None of that would be possible without volunteers. The Fruits First Market is always accepting volunteers who are 18 years or older and can sign up through their website. Volunteer hours vary, and there are time slots available every day except Sunday.
“Food insecurities are on a spectrum,” and in an effort to grant as many people access to food as possible, you can register online at CCFOODBANK.ORG.
