‘They Deserve Better’: Advocates call out River Park over vendor ban

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Following the decision to ban Asian food vendors at River Park’s Farmers Market, local advocates have called for change and an apology from River Park’s property management, Fresno Street Eats, and the California Fresh Farmers Market Association.

Maarte Fresno, along with El Jablito Food Truck and Hapa California Coffee, issued a joint statement on the ban and River Park’s handling of the situation.

El Jablito is one of the Asian food trucks formerly at the market. Hapa Coffee is an Asian coffee pop-up, and Maarte is a brick-and-mortar shop in Downtown Fresno with proud Filipino roots.

The statement from the three businesses says, in part, “We stand in solidarity with the vendors who were excluded.”

The statement calls for:

• A public apology from all parties involved
• A transparent explanation of vendor selection and removal selection
• An open, ongoing dialogue with Filipino, Asian and BIPOC vendors with River Park, Fresno Street Eats and California Fresh

“These are small businesses who show up with heart, with heritage and with the intention to serve,” the post’s caption said. “They deserve better.”

On Monday, River Park issued a statement on the ban that said in part:

River Park, California Fresh Farmer’s Market Association and Fresno Street Eats have historically, and will always, value and inherently support the rich multi-cultural communities of the Central Valley – River Park has commitments to its tenants that it must keep and honor with integrity. This includes, for example, fostering loyalty to their brands and striving to cultivate an environment within which they can thrive. To this end, the River Park farmer’s market events and other collaborations are designed to complement the River Park tenants, not directly compete with them.
River Park Fresno via Instagram

In direct response to River Park’s statement, the group added:

“The absence of an apology speaks volumes,” the statement said. “Their statement may claim to ‘honor with integrity.’ But integrity requires accountability. This is not just about inclusion—it’s about being treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.”

YourCentralValley reached out to River Park property management for a follow-up statement but did not receive a response in time for this article’s publication.