Fresh Approach

WHILE FARMERS MARKETS ARE AN IMPORTANT VENUE FOR BRINGING FRESH, NUTRITIOUS, AND REGIONAL FOOD TO URBAN CONSUMERS, LOWER-INCOME, SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) HOUSEHOLDS FACE RESOURCE AND SOCIAL CONSTRAINTS IN FINDING LOCAL, NOURISHING FOODS. THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE FACT THAT LESS THAN 0.1 OF SNAP BENEFITS ARE SPENT AT FARMERS MARKETS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ADDRESS THE NEED TO DEVISE COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC, MULTICULTURAL SOLUTIONS TO MAKE FARMERS MARKETS ACROSS THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA MORE INCLUSIVE FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES OFFERED AT THE MARKETS. TWO STRATEGIES WILL BE EMPLOYED. CUSTOMER-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES INCLUDE 1.1 INCREASING AWARENESSTHROUGH CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE, MULTILINGUAL, AND MULTI-CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONABOUT SNAP ACCEPTANCE AND MARKET MATCH AVAILABILITY AT FARMERS MARKETS IN CONTRA COSTA AND ALAMEDA COUNTIES. 1.2 DESIGNING AND DISTRIBUTING COUPONS FOR USE AT 18 FARMERS MARKETS TO COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THESE MARKETS IN CONTRA COSTA AND ALAMEDA COUNTIES. 1.3 UTILIZING COORDINATED PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DISTRIBUTE THE OUTREACH MATERIALS AND ENSURE THAT COMMUNICATIONS REACH A BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE (DISTRIBUTION OF CUSTOMIZABLE FLYERS AND BROCHURES OUTLINING HOW TO USE BENEFITS AT THE MARKET, AND SOCIAL MEDIA POST TOOLKITS). 1.4 DEEPENING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT APPROACH BY RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND HIRING 15 COMMUNITY NAVIGATORS AS PAID INTERNS TO CONDUCT OUTREACH AT THE MARKETS. FARMER-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES INCLUDE 2.1 BUILDING CAPACITY FOR FARMERS MARKETS OPERATORS AND VOLUNTEERS AROUND THE PROGRAM AND CULTURAL SENSITIVITY TO ENSURE THAT CUSTOMERS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE CONSISTENTLY RECEIVING ACCURATE INFORMATION AND BEING PROVIDED CHANNELS FOR FEEDBACK. 2.2 IDENTIFYING AND ENGAGING WITH CHAMPION FARMERS VENDORS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCCESS SERVING CUSTOMERS THAT UTILIZE PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP AND MARKET MATCH. BEYOND CUSTOMER- AND FARMER-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES, FRESH APPROACH WILL CREATE A WORKING GROUP OF PARTNERS CONSISTING OF MARKET MANAGERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND REGULAR COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AMONG THEM.AS A RESULT OF THE PROJECT, 7,266 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING SNAP BENEFITS WILL VISIT FARMERS MARKETS, AND 2,596,505 IN ADDITIONAL SALES FOR FARMERS SELLING AT THE PARTICIPATING FARMERS MARKETS WILL BE GENERATED CONSISTENT ACCESS TO FRESH, LOCAL FOOD FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS WILL BE SUSTAINED THE LIVELIHOODS OF FARMERS WILL BE ENHANCED BY GROWING THEIR BASE OF CUSTOMERS AND OVERALL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION WILL BE IMPROVED IN A SPACE THAT, WITH AN EQUITY-CENTERED APPROACH, CAN FOSTER LONG-TERM COMMUNITY FLOURISHING. AS A RESULT OF COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES, REGIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WILL MORE EFFECTIVELY INCORPORATE THE PROMOTION OF SNAP USE AT FARMERS MARKETS INTO THEIR EXISTING OUTREACH STRATEGIES.KEY PARTNERS INCLUDE THE FIVE FARMERS MARKETS ASSOCIATIONS THAT OPERATE ALL THE FARMERS MARKETS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROJECT: PACIFIC COAST FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION, ECOLOGY CENTER, URBAN VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION, AGRICULTURE INSTITUTE OF MARINE, AND FORAGERS MARKET. ALL THE PROPOSED PROMOTION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIRECTING SNAP RECIPIENTS TO THESE PARTICIPATING FARMERS MARKETS. THEIR MARKET MANAGERS ARE COMMITTED TO SHARING VENDOR REPORTS WITH FRESH APPROACH TO DOCUMENT PROJECT IMPACT ON PRODUCERS SALES. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE ESSENTIAL IN SUPPORTING OUTREACH TO SNAP RECIPIENTS AND IMPLEMENTING THE PROMOTION OF SNAP USE AND OTHER BENEFITS AT FARMERS MARKETS AND INCLUDE ALAMEDA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES. FINALLY, FRESH APPROACH WILL ENGAGE WITH AN EXTERNAL CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF CURRENT OUTREACH MATERIALS AND TO SUPPORT PRODUCTION OF MATERIALS USING THE FRAMEWORK OF LANGUAGE THAT REDUCE LANGUAGE CULTURAL BARRIERS.

CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO, CA URBAN AGRICULTURE ASSESSMENT PLAN TO SUPPORTURBAN AG, INCREASE ACCESS TO FOOD, AND REDUCE WASTE TO BENEFITLOW-INCOME RESIDENTS

ENHANCING SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

SEVERAL STUDIES AND COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS SHOW THAT DIET-RELATED HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE MORE PREVALENT IN LOW-INCOME MINORITY POPULATIONS. THESE HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO FOOD INSECURITY, A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW TO EAT AND COOK HEALTHY, AND UNHEALTHY FOOD BEHAVIORS AS A RESPONSE TO STRESS OR TRAUMA, AMONG OTHER FACTORS. HIGHER RATES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CONTRIBUTE TO DECREASED QUALITY AND LENGTH OF LIFE, INCREASE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE INDIVIDUAL, AND WELL AS HIGH HEALTHCARE COSTS. BY INCREASING ACCESS TO AND CONSUMPTION OF HEALTHY FOOD AMONG LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS, THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR PREVENTATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THESE HEALTH DISPARITIES. FARMERS MARKETS PROVIDE AN OUTLET FOR ACCESSING HEALTHY, LOCAL FOODS, BUT MAY NOT BE UTILIZED BY LOW-INCOME MINORITY POPULATIONS DUE TO LACK OF AWARENESS, PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH COST, LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, OR FEELING UNWELCOME. THE INCREASED AWARENESS BUILT BY THIS PROJECT AROUND FARMERS' MARKETS, SNAP USE, AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES WILL SHOW RIPPLE AND LASTING EFFECTS IN OTHER REGIONAL SNAP COMMUNITIES BY ENHANCING THE DEMAND FOR LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LOW-INCOME SHOPPERS AT FARMERS' MARKETS TO CREATE SUSTAINED IMPACTS AFTER THIS PROJECT ENDS.THIS PROJECT WILL WORK DIRECTLY WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THEIR MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RAVENSWOOD FAMILY HEALTH CENTER IN EAST PALO ALTO (CA), PEDIATRIC AND ADULT PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED FOR FOOD INSECURITY AND DIET-RELATED HEALTH DISORDERS WILL BE ENROLLED IN THIS PROJECT. THE PROJECT IS ADMINISTERED IN A SERIES OF 16 WEEKS AND THERE WILL BE FOUR SERIES, EACH WITH 15 PARTICIPANTS. EACH SERIES WILL CONSIST OF AT LEAST TWO HEALTH SCREENINGS AND EIGHT TRAUMA-INFORMED NUTRITION AND COOKING GROUP SESSIONS. PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE FOOD PRESCRIPTION VOUCHERS WITH EACH VISIT, REDEEMABLE FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AT THE NEXTDOOR EAST PALO ALTO COMMUNITY FARMERS' MARKET, A SNAP AUTHORIZED FIRM THAT IS OPERATED BY FRESH APPROACH, AS WELL AS OTHER SNAP AUTHORIZED REGIONAL FARMERS' MARKETS, ENSURING MAXIMUM ACCESSIBILITY. THE VOUCHERS PROVIDE INCREASED FINANCIAL ACCESS FOR LOW-INCOME PATIENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS DISCUSSED IN THE SERIES, IMPACTING THEIR FOOD SECURITY STATUS AND FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO REMOVING BARRIERS TO A HEALTHY DIET FACED BY PEDIATRIC AND ADULT PATIENTS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC OR ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY AND EMPOWER THEM WITH APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES. BY ENHANCING ACCESS TO FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NUTRITION AND COOKING, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE FOOD SECURITY AND IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM PREDOMINANTLY-LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.

SEVERAL STUDIES AND COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS SHOW THAT DIET-RELATED HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE MORE PREVALENT IN LOW-INCOME MINORITY POPULATIONS. THESE HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO FOOD INSECURITY, A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW TO EAT AND COOK HEALTHY, AND UNHEALTHY FOOD BEHAVIORS AS A RESPONSE TO STRESS OR TRAUMA, AMONG OTHER FACTORS. HIGHER RATES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CONTRIBUTE TO DECREASED QUALITY AND LENGTH OF LIFE, INCREASE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE INDIVIDUAL, AND WELL AS HIGH HEALTHCARE COSTS. BY INCREASING ACCESS TO AND CONSUMPTION OF HEALTHY FOOD AMONG LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS, THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR PREVENTATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THESE HEALTH DISPARITIES. FARMERS MARKETS PROVIDE AN OUTLET FOR ACCESSING HEALTHY, LOCAL FOODS, BUT MAY NOT BE UTILIZED BY LOW-INCOME MINORITY POPULATIONS DUE TO LACK OF AWARENESS, PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH COST, LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, OR FEELING UNWELCOME. THE INCREASED AWARENESS BUILT BY THIS PROJECT AROUND FARMERS' MARKETS, SNAP USE, AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES WILL SHOW RIPPLE AND LASTING EFFECTS IN OTHER REGIONAL SNAP COMMUNITIES BY ENHANCING THE DEMAND FOR LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LOW-INCOME SHOPPERS AT FARMERS' MARKETS TO CREATE SUSTAINED IMPACTS AFTER THIS PROJECT ENDS.THIS PROJECT WILL WORK DIRECTLY WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THEIR MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COASTSIDE CLINIC IN HALF MOON BAY (CA) AND GARDNER HEALTH SERVICES IN SAN JOSE (CA),PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED FOR FOOD INSECURITY AND DIET-RELATED HEALTH DISORDERS WILL BE ENROLLED IN THIS PROJECT. THE PROJECT IS ADMINISTERED IN A SERIES OF 16 WEEKS AND THERE WILL BE THREE SERIES, EACH WITH 15 PARTICIPANTS. EACH SERIES WILL CONSIST OFEIGHT TRAUMA-INFORMED NUTRITION AND COOKING GROUP SESSIONS. PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE FOOD PRESCRIPTION VOUCHERS WITH EACH VISIT,REDEEMABLE FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AT THE NEXTDOOR HALF MOON BAY FARMERS' MARKET FOR COASTSIDE PATIENTS, AND SEVERALSNAPAUTHORIZED FARMERS MARKETS IN SAN JOSE FOR GARDNER PATIENTS, AS WELL AS OTHER SNAP AUTHORIZED REGIONAL FARMERS' MARKETS, ENSURING MAXIMUM ACCESSIBILITY. THE VOUCHERS PROVIDE INCREASED FINANCIAL ACCESS FOR LOW-INCOME PATIENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS DISCUSSED IN THE SERIES, IMPACTING THEIR FOOD SECURITY STATUS AND FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO REMOVING BARRIERS TO A HEALTHY DIET FACED BYPATIENTS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC OR ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY AND EMPOWER THEM WITH APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES. BY ENHANCING ACCESS TO FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NUTRITION AND COOKING, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE FOOD SECURITY AND IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM PREDOMINANTLY-LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.

A FOOD DESERT PROJECT IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

COLLABORATING ACROSS GOVERNMENT AND NON-PROFIT AGENCIES TO POMOTE LOCAL FARMERS' MARKETS AND INCREASE SNAP SPENDING AT FARMERS' MARKETS