Committee sends Alemany Farmers Market audit request to analyst for review

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee voted to send to the Budget and Legislative Analyst a request to audit the Alemany Farmers Market and the Real Estate Department—s role as market operator.

Supervisor Sophie Maxwell said she requested the audit to better understand financial and management practices at the market—the only farmers market in San Francisco operated directly by the city—and to ensure operations support small vendors. "I—ve asked for this audit of the Alemany Farmers Market to get a better understanding of the financial and management practices at the market," Maxwell said, adding the audit should not result in additional costs because the analyst expects to conduct the work within existing fiscal-year appropriations.

Public testimony was mixed. Thomas Picariello opposed the audit, saying it would require roughly 350 hours and arguing the city should prioritize larger departmental audits amid a large budget deficit. Others, including a Sierra Club member and downtown market advocates, supported the audit and suggested the review could inform improved market operations and explore options for additional or indoor market venues for vendors.

Supervisor Maxwell framed the audit as a review of small-business support: "These are small businesses and these people do have families and they do a service for our city," she said, urging the committee to examine how city management affects vendors. The committee moved the motion forward without objection; the Analyst will schedule the audit among other items on its workplan and return findings to the committee.