Ecology Center

What Ecology Center does

The Ecology Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, that operates a coordinated portfolio of community-scale environmental and food-access programs. Its core service lines are: (1) the Berkeley Farmers' Markets, three weekly certified markets operating year-round since 1987 with 60+ vendors and approximately 300,000 annual visitors; (2) Berkeley's Curbside Recycling Program, operated continuously since 1973 and serving 30,000+ residences weekly; (3) the Market Match nutrition-incentive program, launched in 2015 and scaled to nearly 300 California farmers' markets through partnerships with 55+ organizations and $35 million in California Nutrition Incentive Program state funding; and (4) the Youth Environmental Academy for ages 15-24, prioritizing youth from low-income communities of color. Supporting programs include an EcoStore retail outlet, the EcoHouse demonstration site (subsumed in 2006), climate and policy advocacy, and resource toolkits such as the Disposable Foodware Policy Toolkit and Farmers' Market EBT Toolkit.

The organization is funded through a hybrid nonprofit revenue model combining recurring individual donations and a $40+ annual membership program, multi-year government contracts (notably two no-bid Berkeley recycling contracts worth a combined $41.4 million per a 2024 city audit), federal and state grants (including CalFresh/SNAP administration and CNIP), EcoStore retail sales, farmers' market vendor stall fees, employer matching gifts, and IRA charitable distributions. Its go-to-market is community-led: three physical market locations serve as the primary touchpoints for consumer acquisition, donor engagement, and food-access distribution, while statewide influence is exercised through coalition convening (California Alliance of Farmers' Markets, California Market Match Consortium) and policy advocacy (CDFA Certified Farmers' Market Advisory Committee chairmanship). The board is led by Interim Board President Peter Schultze-Allen, with Executive Director Martin Bourque heading the organization since 2000 and a recently expanded executive team including Deputy Director Daniel Vasquez (joined 2024) and incoming Food and Farming Program Director Portia Bramble (June 2026).

Name

Ecology Center

Legal name

Ecology Center

Website

https://ecologycenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ecology Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 in Berkeley, California, operating three weekly farmers' markets, a city curbside recycling program for 30,000+ residences, and the statewide Market Match nutrition-incentive program across nearly 300 California markets, while running youth development and environmental policy programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Environmental Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

Keywords

• Farmers market operations
• Curbside recycling services
• Community sustainability programs
• Nutrition incentive matching
• Youth environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Individual donations, membership program ($40+ annually with benefits including discounts at EcoStore, library privileges, and event invitations), monthly giving program, planned giving/legacy gifts, and IRA charitable distributions for supporters age 70½ or older.
2. Government Contracts: City of Berkeley contracts for residential curbside recycling program. The organization has operated Berkeley's Curbside Recycling Program since 1973, collecting from over 30,000 residences weekly.
3. EcoStore Sales: Physical retail store (EcoStore) selling sustainable living products, offering bulk refills and eco-friendly merchandise. Store hours Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-5pm.
4. Farmers Market Fees: Vendor stall fees at three weekly Berkeley Farmers' Markets. Farmers and processed food vendors pay to participate in the certified farmers' markets.
5. Grant Funding: Federal and state grants including CalFresh/SNAP administration, Market Match program funding (California Nutrition Incentive Program with $35 million state appropriation), and various environmental/sustainability grants.
6. Employer Matching and DAF: Corporate employer matching gift programs and Donor Advised Fund grants. Many companies match employee charitable contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Ecology Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a portfolio of community-based environmental programs. Its offerings include three weekly certified Berkeley Farmers' Markets, Berkeley's residential curbside recycling program (serving 30,000+ homes weekly), the statewide Market Match nutrition incentive program (operating at nearly 300 California markets), a youth development academy, a sustainable living retail store (EcoStore), and policy advocacy for climate and zero waste. The organization is funded through donations, memberships, government contracts, grants, vendor stall fees, and retail sales.

Product overview

The Ecology Center operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization offering a coordinated portfolio of environmental programs rather than a single software product. Its core programs span five areas: Food & Farming (Berkeley Farmers' Markets — three weekly markets, Market Match nutrition incentive, Farmers' Market Finder, EBT Toolkit, and California Alliance of Farmers' Markets), Zero Waste (Berkeley Curbside Recycling since 1973, Resourceful app, and zero waste educational resources), Youth Development (Youth Environmental Academy for ages 15–24), Sustainable Living (EcoStore and EcoHouse demonstration site), and Climate & Policy (advocacy and the Disposable Foodware Policy Toolkit). Statewide, the Ecology Center leads Market Match (serving ~300 markets) and the California Alliance of Farmers' Markets. Programs are supported by classes, workshops, an annual Impact Report, and events including the Summer Solstice Week market series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Market Match: California's healthy food incentive program that matches CalFresh benefits at farmers' markets, launched in 2015
• Farmers' Market Finder
• Resourceful

Products and services

• Berkeley Farmers' Markets Three weekly open-air certified farmers' markets (South Berkeley Tuesday, North Berkeley Thursday, Downtown Berkeley Saturday) operating year-round since 1987, hosting 60+ vendor farms and food producers who sell directly to community members. Markets accept CalFresh/EBT and Market Match and serve approximately 300,000 visitors annually.
• Berkeley Curbside Recycling Program One of the first curbside recycling programs in the US, operated continuously since 1973 under contract with the City of Berkeley. Collects recycling from over 30,000 Berkeley residences weekly and includes customer service, education, and general operations.
• Market Match California's healthy food incentive program matching CalFresh/EBT dollars dollar-for-dollar up to $15 at participating farmers' markets. Backed by the $35 million California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) through 2026, the program operates at nearly 300 markets statewide through partnerships with over 55 organizations.
• Youth Environmental Academy A youth development program engaging young people ages 15-24 in environmental justice through hands-on learning, leadership development, and paid work experiences, prioritizing youth from low-income communities of color. Includes internship and program assistant pathways.
• EcoStore A physical retail store located at 2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley (open Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-5pm) that sells sustainable living products, bulk refills, and eco-friendly merchandise supporting zero waste, non-toxic systems, and responsible resource use. Members receive a 10% merchandise discount and 20% book discount.
• California Alliance of Farmers' Markets (CAFM) A statewide coalition founded and facilitated by the Ecology Center that provides leadership, training, technical support, and advocacy to build capacity for farmers' markets across California.
• Climate & Policy Advocacy Program Community-focused climate program that helps prevent and prepare for climate impacts, brings people together to build resilient cities, and advances policies that reduce emissions and drive equitable change. Includes the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling and Community Advisory Committee.
• EcoHouse Demonstration Program A demonstration house and garden program, subsumed by the Ecology Center in 2006, where community members learn accessible and affordable ways to restore ecological systems and reduce environmental impact.

Quantifiable outcome

• Farmers receive 90 cents per dollar at markets vs 15.9 cents at grocery stores
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FibershedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Fibershed, a nonprofit committed to supporting sustainable textile production across California. Holiday gifting pop-up events at Berkeley Farmers' Markets featuring locally produced clothing, body care products, and yarn from Fibershed-affiliated vendors. Collaboration supports alternative textile systems alongside alternative food systems.
• Market Match ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition co-convened by Ecology Center for Market Match program, California's healthy food incentive program matching CalFresh benefits at farmers' markets. Partnership with over 55 organizations to operate Market Match at nearly 300 markets across California.
• California Alliance of Farmers' Markets (CAFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide industry coalition founded and facilitated by Ecology Center to build capacity for farmers' markets across California. Provides statewide leadership, training, and advocacy for the farmers' market industry.
• North Coast Growers' AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional food systems organization led by incoming Food and Farming Program Director Portia Bramble. Operates nine certified farmers' markets, Harvest Hub cooperative, and agricultural training programs serving 150+ farmers.
• CDFA Certified Farmers' Market Advisory CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcology Center's Portia Bramble serves as Chair of the CDFA Certified Farmers' Market Advisory Committee since 2024. Shapes California's nutrition incentive policy and certified farmers' market regulations.
• California Department of Social ServicescoreOthersPartnership with California Department of Social Services for free POS device program enabling EBT acceptance at certified farmers' markets. Also provides free resources for setting up EBT programs.
• California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP)coreOthersCalifornia's state-funded nutrition incentive program providing $35 million to support Market Match through 2026. Funding enables dollar-for-dollar matching for CalFresh benefits at farmers' markets.
• Berkeley Fire DepartmentminorOthersCollaboration with Berkeley Fire Department for fire code compliance at farmers' markets. Worked together on layout changes to meet California State Fire Code requirements.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Recology: Bay Area employee-owned recycling and waste hauler operating municipal contracts across Northern California. Comparable as a curbside recycling operator serving Berkeley-adjacent municipalities with similar zero-waste mission framing.
• Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest US environmental nonprofits with comparable advocacy, education, and grassroots community engagement programs. Comparable at mission level though operating at vastly greater national scale.
• Fair Food Network: National nonprofit running the Double Up Food Bucks nutrition incentive program — the most direct functional analog to Market Match at national scale. Comparable on mission and incentive-program design.
• Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit that pioneered nutrition incentive programs at farmers' markets. Operates the National Nutrition Incentive Network and partners with similar state-level programs like Market Match; comparable on programmatic model and food-access mission.

Direct peers

• Agricultural Institute of Marin: Operates multiple certified farmers' markets across Marin County and runs food access programs including Market Match. Directly comparable as a regional farmers' market nonprofit in the Bay Area with similar scale and mission.
• Center for Environmental Health (CEH): Bay Area-based nonprofit focused on environmental health, toxics reduction, and food safety advocacy. Comparable as a regional environmental health organization; Ecology Center board secretary previously directed CEH's Food Program.
• Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA / Foodwise): Operates the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco and runs food access and education programs. Highly comparable as a nonprofit farmers' market operator with similar EBT acceptance and educational programming in Northern California.
• North Coast Growers' Association: Operates nine certified farmers' markets and agricultural training programs serving 150+ farmers in Humboldt County. The incoming Ecology Center Food & Farming Director led this organization for nearly two decades, making it a tightly comparable operational peer.

Emerging players

• People's Grocery: Oakland-based nonprofit focused on food access, urban agriculture, and healthy food in low-income communities. Comparable as a community-based food justice and food access nonprofit operating in the East Bay.

Others

• Fibershed: California nonprofit supporting sustainable textile and fiber systems; an active Ecology Center partner running pop-up events at Berkeley Farmers' Markets. Comparable as a regional mission-driven nonprofit ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ecology.center
• Xx.com/ecologycenter

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ecology Center