College of San Mateo Certified Farmers' Market

College of San Mateo Certified Farmers' Market is part of PCFMA, a nonprofit founded in 1988 with a mission to support California farmers and communities through farmers' markets serving the diverse Bay Area. That mission gives this Saturday market a clear frame: direct farm sales, food access, and a lineup tied to California growers and producers rather than a generic retail mix. Set at 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd. in San Mateo, the market runs year-round, making it a steady option for weekly produce shopping and pantry restocks.

Why it matters locally

PCFMA's stated mission centers on supporting California farmers and communities, and this market carries that approach into San Mateo through a certified farmers' market format focused on farm-direct selling. Certification matters here because the farms selling products are certified by a county Agricultural Commissioner, tying the market to verified farm production rather than anonymous resale.

The local impact also shows up in the kinds of farms and programs connected to the market. Andreotti Farms brings produce from Half Moon Bay, linking San Mateo shoppers to a nearby family farm with nearly a century of cultivation behind it. PCFMA also highlights CalFresh nutrition access and advocates for the California Nutrition Incentive Program, connecting routine market shopping with broader fresh-food access efforts across the region.

What you'll find there

The market mix highlighted here leans toward produce, cheese, and prepared foods with a close tie to the farms and products PCFMA features across its network. The named vendors point to a California-grown emphasis, from Half Moon Bay produce to Cambria creamery goods and a prepared slaw built around microgreens.

• -Shop Andreotti Farms for fresh, sustainable produce grown in Half Moon Bay.
• -Pick up Stepladder Ranch & Creamery goat and cow's milk cheeses, plus citrus and heritage pork from the family farm in Cambria.
• -Try Oliver's Microgreens Slaw, a prepared slaw made with microgreens.

PCFMA also publishes a “What's In Season?” feature and spotlights vendors through videos and recipes, including the Andreotti family farm, Stepladder Ranch & Creamery, and Oliver's Microgreens Slaw.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which is the detail most likely to change a planned visit if you're heading over with a pet. The market is held at 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd. on the College of San Mateo campus area, with a Saturday schedule from 9am to 1pm that makes it a daytime stop rather than an early-dawn setup.

This is a certified farmers' market, and PCFMA notes that county Agricultural Commissioners certify the farms selling products there. PCFMA also distinguishes certified farm sales from separate areas regulated by the Department of Environmental Health for food trucks and booths selling non-agricultural products, which helps set expectations for how the market is organized. Restrooms are not listed as an on-site visitor amenity, so it helps to plan your stop accordingly.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at the market, and PCFMA specifically highlights WIC-FMNP, EBT, and Market Match as part of its fresh-food access work. The Market Match program includes extra support for CalFresh/EBT shoppers, including double-budget benefits and an additional $15 per farmers' market visit.