An Oasis in a Food Desert

A community mobilizes to launch its own farmers' market

by Veronica Sudekum

April 16, 2008 Palo Alto Weekly

East Palo Alto hasn't had a supermarket within its borders since the early 1970s, but it does have two McDonalds — just 1.5 miles apart. Other dots on the fast-food map are a nearby Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Express.

To buy fresh produce, residents have to travel outside the city's boundaries or depend on the limited selections on corner stores' shelves.

"It's ridiculous how far we have to go to Safeway or other stores to feed our families, and it's been this situation for years. It's been too long," said Saree Mading, lifelong East Palo Alto resident and vice principal of the East Palo Alto Charter School.

East Palo Alto is a classic example of what nutritionists call a "food desert," a cityscape where affordable nutritious foods are unavailable or inaccessible, according to Collective Roots, a nonprofit organization headquartered at the East Palo Alto Charter School.

Given the bleak food landscape and the demand for fresh produce, Collective Roots is advocating for radical change in the local food system.

In the long term, Collective Roots' volunteers and staff members want a full-service supermarket in East Palo Alto. In the short-term, they are taking matters into their own hands.

This coming summer, community leaders are launching East Palo Alto's first Community Farmers' Market outside the St. Francis of Assisi Church at 1425 Bay Road. The opening date is June 1. The market will be open Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

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Hello, We are delighted to share this feature story by the Palo Alto Weekly with you! If this work inspires you, Please allow me to encourage you to read a little further and consider supporting our efforts by making a donation.

My name is Saree Mading and I have lived in the City of East Palo Alto for most of my life. I grew up in East Palo Alto and attended local schools.

I urge you to support this work of Collective Roots that continues to dig deeper into our community and make a real difference.

A unique aspect of this market is that it will engage youth in key leadership roles by involving them in the management and general operation of the market. The funding we receive to support this community initiative will assist with start up costs, and hiring a market manager who will serve as a leader in engaging youth who seek employment skills and ways to make a difference in their community.

Your donation to Collective Roots supports an exciting range of programs that are enriching schools and communities. Collective Roots now provides garden based learning to over 500 children at two schools in the Ravenswood City School District.

With your support, Collective Roots will continue outreach and expansion to other schools serving low income communities. Please consider supporting the work of Collective Roots at this critical juncture in our development. Whether you have supported us in the past, or are just now becoming familiar with our work, please know that your contribution will go far and touch the lives of many like myself who greatly appreciate your generosity and partnership in the development of our schools and community.

Three easy ways you can make a donation to Collective Roots: