Our Successful Second Season

Farmers Market Provides Healthy Produce to Food Stamp Families
Over $20,000 donated to families during market’s second season

East Palo Alto, CA, December 14—During its second season, the EPA Fresh Checks program has supplied families facing food insecurity with over $20,000 in fresh fruits and vegetables. The innovative incentive program provides $5 Fresh Checks to individuals who pay with food stamps, are age 60 or over, or receive WIC.

In a time of increasing food insecurity, Fresh Checks have made the fresh, local and healthy produce at the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market affordable. Each Saturday afternoon, senior citizens, mothers and community members gather in the parking lot of East Palo Alto City Hall & Library to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from small family farmers.

The market creates a safe and friendly community gathering space. Families shop for healthy food, while neighbors talk about their favorite recipes. Health navigators from the Ravenswood Family Health Center screen for diabetes, and provide information about how diet affects wellness.

Community agencies such as the Ecumenical Hunger Program, Bread of Life EPA and El Concilio distributed Fresh Checks to their clients. For individuals who recently lost their jobs, or who are facing health challenges, the incentive program provides assistance in obtaining the ingredients to a healthy diet.

The market is supported by Collective Roots, an organization dedicated to encouraging residents to create workable food systems in their community. The East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market Organizing Committee, a coalition of local organizations, residents, and the San Mateo County Health Department provide additional guidance and direction.

The East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market is celebrating the success of its second season on Saturday, December 19, at EPA City Hall and Library, 2415 University Avenue from 2pm to 5pm, with hot beverages, raffle drawings, and warm company. Everybody is welcome.

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Are you interested in the future of the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market?
The Farmers' Market Organizing Committee (FMOC) is a volunteer group of residents and their friends that have worked on the Market from the beginning. For more information, please email volunteer Lauretta at laurettabennett@sbcglobal.net or call Collective Roots at (650) 324-2769 and they will connect you with members of the Committee. for more information, click here.

If you are interested in providing funding to support the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market, please contact David Kane, Interim Executive Director of Collective Roots, at david@collectiveroots.org or (650) 324-2769.