A Community Hub
Between April and November, Wednesday mornings at Bloomhouse are bustling with community members gathering for the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market. Eager shoppers line up at the information booth with Fresh Approach staff ready to welcome them as farmers unload crates of fresh produce from their trucks, vendors place their special wares and products on folding tables, community-based organizations set up their booths with outreach materials and event fliers, and compost hub staff gather their gardening supplies.
In a matter of a couple of hours, the space becomes a community resource hub for friends, family, and neighbors to share news, access fresh food, and connect with local organizations.
Our farmers’ market might be small, but its impact is mighty on the community: Last year alone, over 7,000 shoppers visited the market and redeemed nearly $85k in fruit and veggie savings incentives to purchase more fresh produce from our farmers!
For those unfamiliar with our fruit and veggie savings programs, we’re able to offer matching funds for folks who use their CalFresh/EBT card OR use government benefits. As an example, this means if someone were to withdraw $15 dollars from their CalFresh/EBT account or show proof of being on MediCal or another government benefits program, we could offer them up to an additional $15 to spend on fresh fruits and veggies.
This drastically increases the purchasing power of folks who would otherwise not be able to easily access fresh produce, while also putting more dollars into the pockets of our farmers!
Shop Fresh, Save More
Long-time shopper of nearly two decades, Michael, shares how it helps having the extended government benefits matching program because it offers him and other senior citizens increased access to purchase more fresh fruits and veggies. And for him being vegan, this access is vital for sustaining his diet.
“Gilbert’s fruits have been a bountiful source of citrus, stone fruit, and berries for me. One of my favorite green smoothies I make for breakfast includes cilantro, fennel, avocado, kale, cucumber, garlic, and ginger I get from the farmers’ market.”
And for East Palo Alto native, Michelle, this increased access to fruits and veggies is helpful in ensuring her family is fed: “As a disabled mom of two young children, getting the free vouchers from being on CalFresh and WIC to help me purchase more fruits and vegetables eases my anxiety of not having enough to buy.”
For her, this means being able to purchase more of the strawberries her children love so much.
Accessing Resources
Michelle also shares that shopping at the market has helped deepen her connection to the East Palo Alto community by offering opportunities to learn more about local events and registering her kids for summer programs from the variety of local community organizations and City of East Palo Alto tabling.
Shopper Alecks affirms this about the market too: “I think the community aspect is important because the market is not only about buying food: it also gives people a place to connect, learn about local resources, and interact with organizations that are helping the community.”
For him, it’s also the Fresh Approach programming tables really stand out: our monthly cooking demonstrations offer community members the chance to learn about incorporating more fruits and veggies into their diets and the community compost hub table offers resources for home gardening.
He feels they really connect with the greater community theme of the market.
Building Community
“You can taste the love in all the fruits and veggies. And it’s that kindness from the farmers and market staff that make this space feel so safe and community-oriented.” Michael shares.
And that’s what the market has always been centered around: community.
A safe and inclusive space for members of the East Palo Alto community to not only feel welcomed and seen, but a space that in of itself is a resource for the community to access nourishing food and connect with friends, family, neighbors, and organizations to thrive.
