Pediatric Advocacy Program at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford Supports Food System Change in East Palo Alto

On behalf of the Pediatric Advocacy Program at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, we are pleased to support the efforts of Collective Roots in East Palo Alto (EPA). We recognize that Collective Roots is a leader in the community, striving to promote a healthier community in EPA by creating sustainable youth led gardens, leading the development of a much needed local farmer’s market, and educating young people to become leaders who have a strong understanding of where their food comes from and how they can protect the environment.

The City of East Palo Alto suffers from disproportionally high rates of obesity, which is evident throughout this uniquely diverse 2.5 square mile community. EPA community members, city officials, school personnel, and health professionals are extremely concerned about the future implications of the disastrously high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease that will undoubtedly accompany these rises in obesity.

Contributing to the high rates of obesity in this community is the lack of access to affordable high quality fresh fruits and vegetables. The City lacks a full service grocery store or supermarket, forcing many families to shop at corner liquor stores or travel outside of their community for fresh produce. Like many other low-income communities across the greater Bay Area with limited access to transportation, this challenge makes it especially difficult for residents to put healthy and nutritious meals on the table.

Despite the challeges in EPA, the community has vocalized their strong commitment to address these inequitable circumstances, and mobilize to leverage resources and begin to fight this growing obesity epidemic. In April 2004, Get Fit EPA, a broad-based community collaborative, was established to address obesity prevention through the development of a community marketing campaign, promotion of nutrition and fitness education, increased access to fitness opportunities in the community, and promotion of policy and environmental change in East Palo Alto. Collective Roots is a key member of this collaborative, leading several of the collaborative’s target areas.

The school-based sustainable garden developed by Collective Roots is one of the community’s greatest assets. One step into the garden and you are transported to a magical place, full of lush greenery, fluttering birds, and a collection of produce lovingly grown by children from this community. We recognize that the garden not only symbolizes a sustainable healthy food source in this community, but it also represents a peaceful place where children can connect with nature and find a tranquil respite from the challenges and chaos that plague the lives of many of the children in EPA. From the pediatrician’s perspective, working in this positive environment has an immeasurable impact on the mental health and wellbeing of these children—a health and social benefit that these children will carry with them for years to come.

We greatly support Collective Roots’ efforts to work with youth and community leaders to establish a much need East Palo Alto Community Farmer’s Market, scheduled to open in the Spring of 2008. This organizing effort has already gained widespread support from a large cross section of the community organizations, including representatives from the faith, senior, school, youth, health, and fitness organizations throughout EPA. The additional health education and cooking classes that will be offered by Get Fit EPA and other community organizations will be a great complement to the farmer’s market. The entire community is eagerly anticipating the opening of this farmer’s market, which would not have been possible without Collective Roots’ strong leadership and vision.

As a member of Get Fit EPA and as representatives of the health community in EPA, we are thrilled to support the efforts of Collective Roots to create sustainable youth led gardens, lead the development of a local farmer’s market, and educate young people to become leaders who continue to support healthy nutrition and living EPA. We laud Collective Roots for their leadership and vision in these areas.

We are enthusiastic about our partnership with Collective Roots, and we look forward to working together to reduce the burden of obesity in East Palo Alto and to make this a healthier community in which to live.

Sincerely,

Lisa Chamberlain, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Pediatric Advocacy Program at Stanford School of Medicine

Janine Bishop, MPH
Program Director
Pediatric Advocacy Program at Stanford School of Medicine

(January 28th, 2008)