FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Certified Farmers’ Market?

A Certified Farmers’ Market allows farmers to sell their produce directly to the consumer. The farmers are certified by the Agricultural Commissioner to be the producers of what they sell—assuring you that there are no middlemen involved. Certified Farmers’ Markets are sponsored by nonprofit organizations that are interested in supporting the health and wellness of the community.  

How often are you going to be holding the market? Is this only during the summer or year-round?

We have a permit to hold the market every Sunday from 3p-6p throughout the year and we are committed to doing that. The more the people of East Palo Alto support the market, the easier it is for us to get the resources we need to sustain the market.  

Why are there not more vendors here?

We are starting with a good number of farmers, but we plan to invite more farmers once we prove that the market is successful and the customer base is established. 

Why is there no cooked food sold here?

In order to have cooked food at the market, we need extra permits that are not feasible cost-wise or logistically at this point--although it may be in the future if all goes well.

Why does fresh food cost more than junk food? 

With half of the meals in the U.S. now being eaten outside the home, it seems that cooking from scratch and sitting down as a family to share meals together on a daily basis is becoming a rare experience.  A recent study shows that there is a direct relationship between the number of fast food restaurants and the rates of diabetes and obesity in your community.   Life expectancy over the last two centuries could soon end if current obesity trends, related largely to poor dietary health, continue.  A major contributing factor is that a dollar now buys families three to four times more calories’ worth of treated, packaged, processed food than of fresh, healthier food.  Junk food costs less because it has so little nutritional value, and is often filled with empty carbohydrates, sugar, salt, oil, and additives.

Why are some items here priced higher than at grocery stores?

Small farmers bring food to you directly from local farms, growing the best food possible, and thus you pay for what you get. Unfortunately, some items may be priced higher because large chain grocery stores buy from corporate-factory farms or from other countries where food is produced at the expense of the workers who grow it, or with great detriment to the environment. Farmers’ markets are an alternative to this model of food production/delivery. Look around and you might be able to find some great buys, and also enjoy buying your food from the people who produce it.    

When will East Palo Alto get a grocery store? This is fine for fruits and veggies, but where can I get meat and other products?

It is unfortunate that EPA does not have a grocery store and we would be willing to support a community to help make this a reality. If you are interested in this, ask one of the market organizers when the next Farmers’ Market Board Meeting is and join us. It takes a collaboration and commitment to change a food system.

Can my church sell pies or dinners here for fundraising?

The farmers’ market regulations do not allow for the selling of such items from any groups. However non-political groups can apply to have a booth at the market. At the booth, the group can educate the community on its work, and can such work on display, however cannot sell their items.

Is it possible for local gardeners to sell their produce at the market?

Local growers and backyard gardeners will have the opportunity for to sell their produce, as long as they are certified by the County Agricultural Commissioner. Collective Roots, a nonprofit based in East Palo Alto, has raised some funds to help local gardeners pay for their certification.  For more information, please visit http://www.collectiveroots.org/backyard_gardener_network.

Who manages this market?

The East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market was started by a group of local citizens. Councilmember Ruben Abrica convened an East Palo Alto Community Health Roundtable with over 25 health professionals serving EPA. The market is also supported by Get Fit EPA, a collaborative health project, The Ravenswood Family Health Center, and other health and community based organizations.

Many residents of East Palo Alto have expressed interest in a having farmers’ market established in the community. As a result, a committee called the East Palo Alto Farmers’ Market Organizing Committee (FMOC) was formed within the Roundtable Group. This group has worked diligently for the past year to bring a permanent and reliable source of fresh fruits and vegetables to East Palo Alto. Members of this group have included: Letticia M. Rayson, EPA Resident; Jennifer Gross, San Mateo County Health Department; Wolfram Alderson, Collective Roots Director; Judy Sencenbaugh, Sequoia Unified School District; Amanda Brosius Lutz, Stanford Medical Student, Lauretta Bennett, EPA Resident, Manuel Arteaga, Ravenswood Family Health Center; Lorraine Holmes, EPA Senior Center; Raquel Medina, City of East Palo Alto Redevelopment Agency. The Committee meets every two weeks.  Our market manager is Cornelia Fletcher (cornelia@collectiveroots.org).

For More Information:

Collective Roots / East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market

P.O. Box 50784, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Office Phone: (650) 324-2769

Email: epafarmersmarket@collectiveroots.org

Web: http://www.collectiveroots.org/epafarmersmarket

Collective Roots' mission is to develop young leaders who understand where their food comes from and how their actions impact human and environmental health. Collective Roots is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization. Tax ID# 71-0901459