Oral

Residents of low-income neighborhoods historically lack adequate access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmer’s markets and produce stands are becoming an increasingly desirable means of bringing local produce to area residents at an affordable price. In the Central Valley, a region of year-round agricultural bounty but also extreme poverty, the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP), funded by The California Endowment and a partnership between public health departments and community-based organizations, has worked to install or enhance farmer’s markets and produce stands as part of a plan to improve food access, promote healthy eating, and reduce obesity rates in the region. The program was formed to reduce barriers to healthy food and physical activity opportunities in target communities, where obesity rates have rapidly increased in both children and adults. The session provides discussion from the grantees of CCROPP to disseminate their successes, challenges and lessons learned to a broad public health audience.

Session Objectives: 1) Discuss the roll that farmer’s markets and produce stands in low-income, rural areas have in improving access to fresh produce 2) List three non-traditional partners with whom CCROPP grantees worked to develop farmer’s markets and produce stands 3) Describe several methods used by CCROPP grantees to engage their respective communities in their work with farmer’s markets and produce stands

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)