You Are The Food System

An international movement is building around the idea of communities taking control of their food system.

Thirty years ago, my first job in social service was organizing farmers' markets in the lowest income areas of Los Angeles. With farmers' markets now so well established in many communities, it may be hard to imagine the fact that back in the 1970s, farmers' markets had almost become extinct in California, nearly driven out of existence by regulations put into place by large supermarket chains.

I was fortunate to work in collaboration with neighborhood activists and religious leaders to establish the very first farmers' markets in Los Angeles…thirty years later, most of these markets are still thriving and serving the needs of these communities that have seen tremendous change over the years. Over the last several decades, community based farmers' markets have emerged as powerful symbols of people taking control of their destiny and community health.

The small food system revolution that began several decades ago has now resulted in a renaissance of farmers' markets, community gardens and organic agriculture that means that any Californians today enjoy access to some of the freshest, highest quality produce in the world.

Yet, despite having a rich agricultural history of its own, the people of East Palo Alto have, for the most part, not benefited from this social movement that has enabled many communities to take charge of their food system. It is quite likely that you, a reader of EPA.net, are already aware of some of the challenges that have prevented the food system of East Palo Alto from evolving adequately enough to meet the needs of this very special community.

Today, we must acknowledge the fact that despite the historical efforts of many individuals, East Palo Alto does not currently enjoy access to a farmers' market, community garden, or a supermarket. This lack of access to high quality, healthy food, adds inconvenience, stress, even risk, to the lives of many who live in East Palo Alto. This reality contrasts starkly with surrounding communities that enjoy access to some of the most well stocked food markets in the Bay Area.

The good news is that, with your support and involvement, this reality is about to change.

Community based organizations, local government, faith based organizations, local schools, youth groups and others are joining together in partnership to improve the food system in East Palo Alto. A strong community wide collaboration has formed, and it is with great joy and excitement that I announce that the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market is opening in Spring of 2008. Local gardeners will be encouraged to participate in addition to farmers certified by the State Department of Food and Agriculture. St. Francis of Assisi Church has graciously offered the use of their site, and the current plans are to offer the market on Sunday afternoons year round. This is just one of several community based efforts that are addressing the food and nutrition needs of East Palo Alto. These efforts include development of organic gardens in local schools, re-establishing a community garden, and increasing the level of advocacy and support needed to bring a supermarket to East Palo Alto.

There are a variety of ways that you can support these efforts. The food system is not an abstract concept, but rather a system in which we all participate and can make a difference. Our choices of what kind of food we buy, and the actions we take to advocate for our own needs as well as those of our community make a difference in our quality of life and health, and the futures of our children. Please join this exciting effort.

Collective Roots is an East Palo Alto-based nonprofit organization with the mission of developing young urban leaders who understand where their food comes from and how their actions impact human and environmental health.

For more information about these important efforts to re-shape our food system, please visit www.collectiveroots.org and epafarmersmarket.org. You can also contact Collective Roots at 650.324.2769 or info@CollectiveRoots.org.

-Wolfram Alderson, Executive Director, Collective Roots.

This article was originally published on EPA.NET.