How the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market Got Started

How the East Palo Alto Farmers’ Market Organizing Committee got started (as told by Raquel Medina)...

Councilmember Ruben Abrica convened an East Palo Alto Community Health Roundtable with over 25 health professionals serving EPA. This group worked on a master EPA health data report to be made available to the public in 2007.

This group also planned for EPA’s first combined Health Expo, Cultural Festival, and Celebration of Youth at Castaño School, located at 2695 Fordham St. held on Saturday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The intent of this event was to further promote the data found in the EPA health report; provide an opportunity for local agencies to advertise their programs; provide a platform for local collaboratives to talk about their initiatives through workshops on health and fitness; and have fun!

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 committee made a mini farmers’ market available to people attending the Health Expo and Cultural Festival. Following this event, FMOC is working toward creating a permanent Farmers’ market.

Goal: To bring a permanent and reliable source of fresh fruits and vegetables to East Palo Alto.

Committee members: Letticia M. Rayson, EPA Resident; Jennifer Gross, San Mateo County Health Department; Wolfram Alderson, Collective Roots Director; Judy Sencenbaugh, Sequoia Unified School District; 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.

Support from San Mateo County Health Department
"The Get Healthy San Mateo County Task Force seeks to prevent and reduce childhood obesity by creating healthier communities for all residents in San Mateo County.  The Task Force focuses on specific populations such as African Americans, Latinos, and Pacific Islanders in underserved communities that often have inadequate access to fresh produce and recreational parks, resulting in disproportionately higher rates of childhood obesity.  East Palo Alto (EPA) is one city that is underserved, ethnically diverse and has high rates of childhood obesity.  The Get Healthy San Mateo County Task Force works with numerous community partners, one of which is Collective Roots (www.collectiveroots.org).  This dynamic non-profit organization aims to develop young urban leaders who know where their food comes from and how their actions impact others and the environment."  -Jennifer Gross

EPA Community Farmers' Market Organizing Committee Contacts (click on names below to email):
("Elle") Lettecia Rayson
Wolfram Alderson

Proposed Site for the Farmers’ Market: St Francis of Assisi Church.Father Goode has discussed plans with FMOC and has agreed. Other sites have been researched. St Francis was available, was offered and contains the basic requirements needed to operate a farmers’ market.

Collective Roots has been identified by the FMOC to sponsor the Farmers’ Market. www.Collectiveroots.org ; other appropriate non-profit farmers’ market coordinating organizations were contacted and were too busy organizing farmers’ markets in other cities.

A Survey has been developed and was distributed at the Health and Cultural Expo on September 29^th. Contact the FMOC for copy of survey.

The FMOC hosted a Mini-Farmers’ Market and workshop at the Health and Cultural Expo held on September 29^th 2007 at Castaño School.

A temporary use permit with the City of EPA is needed to operate a farmers’ market. Work has begun in preparing for all permits, licenses, etc., required for the market. The St. Francis of Assisi Church site has been identified as the most preferred site in terms of location, parking available, and support from within the Church leadership.

The FMOC has located farmers and has discussed with them selling their produce at the EPA Farmers’ Market. The response has been very favorable.

EPA residents will be identified for certification to sell the excess produce they grow.