Goals
Expand affordable access to healthy foods; empower families to adopt and sustain healthful lifestyle choices around food; and enhance the business and leadership skills of members of this community.
Our Personal Approach
Comunidad Mercado (CoMer) is a collaboration among community leaders and families engaged with the Siena Youth Center in North Fair Oaks, and regional family-owned farms. Building upon existing social/family networks, and newly formed purchasing relationships with CA Certified Farmers, CoMer provides seasonal, healthy and tasty foods at low costs to its members. Accompanying educational forums explore the health benefits of “balanced plates” and the enjoyment of eating wider varieties of vegetables, grains, and legumes.
Impact
With more affordable access, families have increased consumption of a wider variety of fresh vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. CoMer is also serving as a steady wholesale client for farmers and, as such, is mitigating their economic losses from unsold or unpicked, but high quality produce. Markets are held bi-weekly.
