Hi Everybody...

If you think we deserve easy access to FRESH PRODUCE in our community say, "ME"!!!  Opportunity is knocking---read below about the a program that will help convert some of our local convenience stores into markets that carry fresh produce. I hope that you will take the time to get involved and spread the word!

Enjoy...

HP

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“Convenience Stores in South LA  soon to carry fresh produce. Community outreach activities help build demand for healthy food.”

The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles and its partners have launched a pilot program to augment healthy food offerings at four corner convenience stores in South Los Angeles.  

The Community Market Conversion Program – created in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s RENEW Program and the California Endowment – provides funding and technical support to allow small “mom and pop” corner markets in so-called “food deserts” to install refrigeration equipment and other fixtures so they can offer a broader selection of fruits, vegetables and other fresh, healthy foods.

Many neighborhoods in South Los Angeles have few or no nearby full-service grocery stores offering a broad selection of healthy, fresh foods. As a result, area residents who want to eat better can’t do so without long trips, often by public transit.

The Community Market Conversion Program provides up to $75,000 per store to rehabilitate participants’ facades and interior layouts and to buy refrigeration and other permanent fixtures that promote the sale of fruits and vegetables. Additional funds are available for technical assistance and training on management of fresh produce inventory.

Furthermore, area residents, community advocates and the storeowners are planning events and community-based marketing activities to build demand for fresh produce.

The first of these activities begins this weekend Sunday October 2^nd from 12:30pm to 3:30 pm where volunteers will be going door to door to survey residents about what produce items they would like to see in the stores. The stores are slated to carry fresh produce starting in November; construction on the stores for the full-renovation will commence in March 2012.

Other door knocking outings will take place on Monday October 3^rd from 4:30-7:00pm and Saturday October 8ths from 11:30-2:30. Community residents in the South Los Angeles Area are invited to participate by contacting Project Coordinator Clare Fox at claremfox.cmc@gmail.com.

The four Community Market Conversion pilot participants are:

• Money Saver Meats, 3233 W. Florence Ave.
• Oaks Junior, 2500 W. Jefferson Blvd.
• Mama’s Chicken, 2510 W. Slauson Ave.
• Las Palmas Carnicería, 2712 S. Central Ave.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES FOR SURVEY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES:

THIS SUNDAY OCTOBER 2ND, 1:00 -3:30 PM

Meeting Place:

Mama's Chicken Store - 2510 W. Slauson Avenue.

Closest Major Cross Street is Van Ness.

Stores Supporting: Mama's Chicken Store & Money Saver Meats (major cross streets are Florence near Crenshaw)

Come at 12:30 for an introduction to the Community Market Conversion program!

MONDAY OCTOBER 3RD, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Meeting Place:

Oak's Junior Market - 2500 W. Jefferson Blvd. Closest Major Cross Street is Arlington.

Come at 4:30 for an introduction to the Community Market Conversion program!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 8TH, 12:00 - 2:30PM

Meeting Place:

Las Palmas Carniceria - 2712 S. Central Avenue. Closest Major Cross Street is Adams.

Come at 11:30 for an introduction to the Community Market Conversion program!

For more information, Please contact:

Clare Fox
Project Coordinator
Community Market Conversion Program

clarefox.cmc@gmail.com

www.communitymarketconversion.org
1200 West 7th Street / Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90017

fax: 213-977-1665
mobile: 818-325-5872