I’ve received disturbing news that LA County might not allow the Altadena Farmers Market, or any farmers market, to operate in County Parklands in Altadena.

The Altadena Farmers Market has server as a resource for healthy eating, serving a population that has very limited fresh produce resources. Unlike East Altadena, there is one grocery store in NW Altadena, which is often overcrowded due to limited grocery access in this community.

In addition to providing fresh produce to the community, the Altadena Farmers Market encourages food sovereignty, teaching community members to grow their own food, and makes food affordable for residents who participate in CalFresh – SNAP/EBT.

The Altadena Farmers Market feeds the community, supports local small business incubation and serves as a community meeting place. During the pandemic, it was one of the only places in Altadena to safely distance while accessing fresh produce, being the first farmers market in LA County to provide no-contact pickup and delivery.

Stripping the community of access to this resource would clearly communicate that the County doesn’t prioritize safe access to healthy food. The County has already made it cost-prohibitive to make this resource accessible, with a 600% increase in park permit fees during the pandemic. The County has the resources to make this Market more affordable for Market operators but chooses to not prioritize the crucially needed service it provides.  

Our requests are that you not only allow a farmers market to continue at Loma Alta Park, but that you also sponsor the operation of a community food resource in this County space. We hope that you value the health of this community as much as we do and will help make this resource more sustainable, in perpetuity.