Nonprofit with strong CSUMB roots wins regional award

By Mark Muckenfuss

A nonprofit agency started by a Cal State Monterey Bay student over 20 years ago, and which has become a mainstay in the local region, was recently honored by State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas as a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year. 

Everyone’s Harvest, which operates six farmers markets in Monterey County, along with community food programs, has distributed more than $3.5 million in food over the past 10 years. It was one of more than 100 nonprofits recognized by state senators and assembly members in their respective districts. Rivas’ 29th Assembly District includes Watsonville and Gilroy, in the north, and the Salinas Valley. 

The organization was started in 2002 by Iris Peppard, an integrated studies major, as part of her senior capstone project. She was largely inspired by Professor David Takacs' course in environmental justice. Over the years, several CSUMB personnel have been involved in the program. Dan Shapiro, a professor of applied environmental science, was a board member for many years and served as president. So too did Hester Parker, a CSUMB adjunct research faculty member for applied environmental science and former lecturer, who is the current executive director for Everyone’s Harvest. The campus’s influence goes beyond the organization’s leadership. 

“Everyone on my staff, except two, is a CSUMB grad,” Parker said. 

Shoppers benefit from the nonprofit’s programs, but so do growers, Parker said. The markets provide an opportunity for small farms to sell their produce. And with Everyone’s Harvest’s Market Match program, customers using CalFresh or SNAP benefits can double their purchasing power. Such shoppers can spend up to $30 and receive a dollar-for-dollar match from Market Match, meaning they can carry home $60 in groceries.

The number of CalFresh customers at Everyone’s Harvest markets in 2025 increased by over 25% compared to the previous year, according to the agency’s data. It said 5,278 people made purchases with CalFresh and Market Match at the markets, adding an extra $241,154 in income for local small-scale farmers. 

“The money creates more business,” Parker said. “That’s one of the benefits that helps the farmers.”

Everyone’s Harvest partners with healthcare agencies, such as Natividad Medical Center, Salinas Valley Health, Monterey County Health Department and Montage Health, for educational and health support programs. It also offers cooking demonstrations at its farmers markets to encourage healthy eating. 

Parker said the award was an important recognition for the long-standing program.

“It’s wonderful to think that this local nonprofit that was started at CSUMB has grown to be recognized regionally for doing good work over the years,” she said. “We’re just trying to make people’s lives a little better in this district.”