San Mateo County Health Department Supports East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market

April 14, 2008

To Whom it May Concern,

I offer my strong support for the establishment of an East Palo Alto (EPA) Farmers' Market.

Access to healthy foods is a key strategy in reducing childhood obesity and other health consequences associated with unhealthy eating such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. We commend the EPA Farmers' Market Organizing Committee’s initiative to establish a farmers market in a place where residents have no grocery stores and limited access to healthy, affordable and fresh produce.

In addition to limited access to healthy foods, EPA residents are at a greater risk for childhood obesity and other related diseases. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 16.2% of East Palo Alto’s residents live below the poverty level while San Mateo County has 5.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level. Research has demonstrated that lower-income communities ten to have poorer health outcomes. Also, data from the California Center for Public Health Advocacy found that residents of certain ethnic groups within San Mateo County, mainly African Americans, Latinos, Tongans, and Filipinos, experience higher rates of childhood obesity then Asians or Whites. It is clear from the 2000 U.S. Census that East Palo Alto has a higher proportion of residents who live below the federal poverty level than other parts of the County and has a more diverse population, resulting in a greater likelihood that they will be disproportionately affected by childhood obesity.

When compared with other cities in San Mateo County, data shows that East Palo Alto does have higher rates of students who are overweight or obese. The California Center for Public Health Advocacy in 2003-2004 reported that 25.52% of students in San Mateo County are overweight while 28% of students in grades 5, 7, and 9 in East Palo Alto are overweight or obese. Among cities in San Mateo County, East Palo Alto has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity.

Not only does the data provide compelling support of farmers markets, but this organizing committee also has dynamic leadership and is committed to making this effort a success. The Health Department has had the opportunity to provide support to the East Palo Alto farmers market initiative since July 2007. This group developed from a larger community collaborative called the EPA Health Roundtable Group. Convened by the former mayor of East Palo Alto, Ruben Abrica, this group consists of residents and decision makers within the city, and explore how social and environmental determinants of health affects residents. During meetings with this group, it became clear that access to healthy, affordable, and fresh produce and other foods was lacking in East Palo Alto. As a result, a small group formed to consider how to address this issue and offer fresh produce during a health fair last September.

Following the inception of a pilot mini-farmers market last fall, this group has met twice a month to plan for the bigger weekly farmers markets. They have sought approval from city officials and have obtained support from numerous community stakeholders. They intend for this farmers market to not just be a place to have access to fresh, affordable and healthy produce, but also a place where they can train and develop youth to learn about marketing, economics, and business. It will also be a way for residents to come together, be a part of a regular community event, and obtain health information and basic services during a weekly adjunct health fair. The East Palo Alto Farmers' Market Organizing Committee is clearly committed to establishing a farmers' market and has the full support of the San Mateo County Health Department.

If you have any questions about our collaboration with the Farmers' Market Organizing Committee or their work, please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer Gross, a Community Health Planner who has worked closely with this committee, at (650) 573-2319 or jgross@co.sanmateo.ca.us.

Sincerely,
Scott Morrow, MD, MBA, MPH
San Mateo County Health Officer