River Park reverses Asian food vendor ban amid Fresno backlash

Fresno's River Park shopping center faced significant backlash after banning Asian food vendors from its farmers market events, a move that many in the community labeled as discriminatory and exclusionary. Following public outcry and demands for transparency, respect, and a formal apology—particularly from Filipino business owners and advocates—River Park reversed its decision and reinstated Asian vendors. The shopping center, along with event organizers, issued an apology acknowledging communication missteps and pledged to develop a more sensitive, collaborative process for evaluating vendors in the future. However, some community members remain dissatisfied, citing a lack of direct outreach and questioning the sincerity of the apology, with some pausing their partnerships until meaningful change is demonstrated. The controversy has highlighted broader concerns around inclusion, representation, and the treatment of minority-owned businesses in Fresno. River Park has committed to creating an environment that reflects the area’s multicultural communities but continues to face scrutiny as it implements new vendor review procedures.