The mission of our ASCENDKemet Collective Certified Farmers’ Market is to represent the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) community of San Diego through its local vendors, farmers, and artisans. ASCENDKemet aims to support and uplift the African community, as well as its commitment to holistic living and selling fresh, nutritious produce. Our open-air market stands out from the rest because it’s made by the BIPOC community, for the BIPOC community. Our vendors identify with holistic thinking and are principled concerning what products we use and support. Many are highly melanated, and understand the importance of an exchange and barter culture to help each other to create healthy, thriving communities. Our collective of vendors also understand that holistic is not the same as alternative and that catering to the whole person is of utmost importance–mind, body, and spirit. Now that the ASCENDKemet Collective Certified Farmers’ Market has been accepted into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP participants are also eligible to use their EBT benefits to buy select food items. Our California Certified Farmers’ market is the real thing, and we make it our mission to create a space where real people can sell real produce to their local community.