HomeMy WebLinkAbout00A Non Agenda Public Comments Rcvd by Noon Sanchez, Gloria
From: Johanna Roberts <johanna@psculturalcenter.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 11:07 AM
To: CouncilMeeting Comments
Subject: Proposed Sunday market on San Pablo
To The City of P�Im Desert,
Thc Ccrtified Farmers' Markcts of the Coachella Valley enriches the lives of those of ut living in thc Coachclla
Valley by providing a platform for equal access to nutrition, an incubator for small businesses �md an outlet for �
sustainable food practices. The importance of the CFMCV lies in the strong base the market is for the �
community. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the community nutrition coordinutor for the CFMCV, 1
cadt stress cnough the value that the Market Match program hrings to low income Coachella Valley residents.
The Market Match program provides additional funding for participants of CalFresh, W lC, SSID and those
receiving unemployment This program allows participants who take advantaae to receive extra funding to
purchase fi�esh fruits aiid vegetahles at each market. This not only increases the amount of food av�iilable to our ,
valley residents, it also supports our community by increasing the amount of produce sold by small businesscs, I
which then reduces food w�ste. Research has shown that increasing the amount of fresh fruit �ind vegetables '
available in the homc increascs consumption, which in turn is positive for the health and wellness of our
community.
The proposed Sunday market on San Pablo will bc detrimental to the ah�eady established CFMCV thut takes
place on Wednesdays as well as the CFMCV S�mday market that takes place in La Quinta. The proposed
market does not includc thc cssential elements that benefit our community at large, increased funds for low
income residents and an emphasis on support for our small local farms.
At lhe heiaht of the pandemic, creating a competitive market which does not take participants into acco�mt is in
poor taste. It is an unnecessary conflict to crcatc for our wcll established markets and farmers who count on the
incomc provided. I am reaching out as a nutrition professional to ask that you reconsider spending fw�ds on this �
project and first do a community needs xssessment. If you would like any fw'ther i�formation or consultation on �
the importance on CFMCV, feel free to reach out, 1 will be happy to answer �tny questions. ��
Sincerely, I
Johanna Roberts, RDN ��
1