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Fresh, Convenient, Affordable!

Fresh, Convenient, Affordable!

News @ EPA.NET 09/26/03 Senior Center regular Mrs. Knowles at the Friday afternoon Produce Market Fresh, Convenient, Affordable! Get Your Fruits and Veggies Fridays at the new East Palo Alto Produce Market and Save! With its lack of a large supermarket or produce store, East Palo Alto is not known for quality well-priced fruits and vegetables. This has changed now with an innovative new East Palo Alto Produce Market held every Friday from 2-3 P.M. at the East Palo Alto Senior Center, located at the corner of Bell Street and University Avenue. For the past three months produce, as well as eggs and flowers, have been sold here at wholesale prices. Everything is purchased at the same price a commercial market would pay and then resold to the public with no mark-up in prices. Prices are much lower than what you would pay in the supermarket. Although the market has a focus on seniors, it is open to the general public and everyone is welcome. The Market carries both year-round and seasonal produce The new produce market represents a partnership between the EPA Senior Center, EPA CAN DO, and the Episcopal Homes Foundation (EHF), a nonprofit, non-denominational organization that has provided housing and services to seniors for the past 35 years. As part of its senior services, EHF opened a produce market at one of its homes in Oakland. Funding was provided by the Social Benevolence and Diversity Committee of the EHF Board. Sheila Bostic, EPA CAN DO Services Coordinator, visited the market and inquired if something similar could be done in East Palo Alto. Tracy Powell, Director of EHF Outreach services was open to the idea. After a year’s planning, the East Palo Alto Produce Market was created in the spirit of inclusiveness, and looking to serve East Palo Alto’s diverse population. The market strives to provide fruits and vegetables that are important in different cultures and welcomes suggestions to expand these offerings. Produce Market Team: Colleen Chavez, EHF; Sheila Bostic, EPA CAN DO; Ruben Abrica and Lorraine Holmes, Senior Center board members and market volunteers; Tracy Powell, EHF Staffing includes volunteers from the Senior Center and the general public, with overall management provided by EPA CAN DO Services Coordinator Sheila Bostic and EHF Senior Produce Manager Colleen Chavez, . On a weekly basis the EPA Produce Market offers potatoes, yams, red and yellow onions, collard greens, mustard greens, cabbage, bananas, garlic, and ginger. During the year and when in season it offers cantaloupe, watermelon, berries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, beans, mangos, apples, oranges and other seasonal items. Ms. Chavez from EHF especially wants the East Palo Alto public to know that the market is open to ordering what the community wants and that customers should let the market know their choices. Also, as part of an emphasis by Ms. Bostic, the market is increasing its offerings of organic produce at affordable prices. For more information about the market or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sheila Bostic of EPA CAN DO at 650.473.9838 x12 or Colleen Chavez of EHF at 925.299.2405.

Contributed by Content Manager

Approved by: Executive Producer

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