By Wolfgang Croskey, Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce
Sierra Pacific Properties extends a cordial invitation to you for the groundbreaking of Sprouts Farmers Market, Pittsburg’s latest grocery store.
This is Sprouts’ second location in East County with the first one at The Streets of Brentwood. Started in 2002 to make natural, fresh, organic food choices accessible to everyone, the Arizona-based Sprouts has since expanded to 380 stores. The new store will be part of a 3.69-acre development called the San Marco Commercial Center, at San Marco Boulevard and West Leland Road.
We are excited to have you join us in celebrating the growth of the Pittsburg business community. The event will be held at 2311 W. Leland Road and parking will be at Ray Giacomelli Park. We hope to see you there.
During their meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation declaring May as CalFresh Awareness Month (See below)
More Contra Costa County residents are encouraged to apply for the food assistance program.
CalFresh food benefits stretch household budgets, enabling recipients to afford nutritious food, including more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options. In Contra Costa County, 93,169 Contra Costa County residents are receiving CalFresh as of March 2023. But many more may be eligible. Learn more, including how to apply, at ehsd.org.
CalFresh Facts:
CalFresh Food benefits can be used at most grocery stores and even select online retailers; and matched dollar for dollar at participating farmers markets.
Adults 18 years or older can be eligible for CalFresh, and may apply on behalf of their children, including non-citizen parents who may apply on behalf of their U.S.-born children.
CalFresh benefits have contributed $297 million to our economy from April 2022 through March 2023 in Contra Costa County.
CalFresh Awareness Month news cards are posted on ehsd.org and on the County website. Also, social media posts @ContraCostaEHSD on Twitter,Facebook & Instagram.
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
Proclaiming May 2023 as CalFresh Awareness Month
WHEREAS, CalFresh food benefits stretch household budgets, enabling recipients to afford nutritious food, including more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options; and
WHEREAS, encouraging eligible residents to enroll in the CalFresh program will increase the health and well-being of eligible families and individuals by helping provide a means to meet their nutritional needs; and
WHEREAS, EHSD’s community partnerships, including the Food Bank of Contra Costa County and Solano, help raise awareness and visibility of CalFresh; and
WHEREAS, adults 18 years or older can be eligible for CalFresh, and may apply on behalf of their children, including non-citizen parents who may apply on behalf of their U.S.-born children; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh Food benefits can be used at most grocery stores and even select online retailers; and matched dollar for dollar at participating farmers markets; and
WHEREAS, 93,169 Contra Costa County residents are receiving CalFresh as of March 2023; and
WHEREAS, CalFresh benefits have contributed $297 million to our economy from April 2022 through March 2023 in Contra Costa County; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County is one of 34 counties in the state to offer the CalFresh Employment and Training Program, providing CalFresh participants training and assistance towards job readiness, job security, work norms and access to higher education; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim May 2023 as CalFresh Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, and honors all of the individuals, organizations and agencies working to ensure that all County residents have access to safe, nutritious food and support in achieving sustainable economic health.
The Easter Egg Hunt will be on April 8th at 8:00 am and the location will be announced the morning of the event on our social media platforms. We cannot wait to host this year because the Easter Bunny will be there. We will also have our special golden eggs with secret surprises.
We included our QR code for our Venmo account, @Holiday-Fooddrive. Any donations go towards the many events we host throughout the year, and we are appreciative for any amount you are able to donate. You help make the Easter Egg Hunt, Backpack Drive, Halloween, Holiday Food Drive, Thanksgiving, and Christmas possible!
The City of Antioch Council of Teens (ACT) is hosting a Canned Food Drive in collaboration with Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. The food collected provides a greater variety of groceries for the community members we serve and is a tangible way for donors to visualize their impact.
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
Antioch Community Center 4701 Lone Tree Way
Antioch City Hall 200 H Street
Antioch Senior Center 415 W 2nd Street
Nick Rodriguez Community Center 215 F Street
ACT is comprised of youth (6th through 12th grade) who cultivate change through community service, social activities for youth, and civic leadership – all while having FUN and working together!! ACT members are dedicated to strengthening their community and amplifying youth voices. ACT is driven by a vision in which youth have the opportunities, supports and resources to develop their full potential. Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 4:30PM; and runs all year. Dinner & snacks are provided! All participants are asked to RSVP at youth@antiochca.gov.
For more information contact Youth Services Network Manager Monserrat Cabral at mcabral@antiochca.gov.
Antioch residents pick up fruits and vegetables from the Fresh Approach food truck on Tuesdays. Photos: Kaiser Permanente
Food truck in Rivertown and at Sutter Delta Medical Center on Tuesdays
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Antioch resident Justine Bobo looks forward to buying colorful, fresh produce on Tuesday mornings. She credits the Fresh Approach food truck for giving her a new appreciation for healthy foods.
“It makes me feel good to know that someone cares for us older senior citizens,” she said. “We just flourish from getting these fresh vegetables every week. I think of the time that’s put into packing it up and bringing it to us – thank you!”
Fresh Approach is a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to connecting residents to healthy food from California farmers and to expanding knowledge in the community about food and nutrition. Its mobile farmers’ market truck, stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, serves six cities in three Bay Area counties.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and recent inflation concerns have increased the number of Bay Area residents who face food insecurity,” said Fresh Approach Food Access Program Manager Ellen Olack. “We’ve seen lots of changes pre- and post- pandemic. More folks are coming out each week.”
The Fresh Approach truck stops at two Antioch locations on Tuesdays – the Antioch Senior Center and the Sutter Delta Medical Center. The Antioch route and a similar route in Richmond are funded in part by Kaiser Permanente.
Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California vice president of External and Community Affairs, noted that having access to affordable, nutritious food is critical for good health.
“That’s why we have partnered with Fresh Approach to provide fresh produce every week to East and West County residents who are struggling to make ends meet during these challenging economic times,” she said. “This partnership reflects our deep commitment to improve health in the communities we serve and help people live longer, healthier lives.”
Fresh Approach offers a 50 percent discount to customers who participate in income-based benefit programs, including CalFresh (SNAP), WIC, SSI/SSDI, Medi-Cal and unemployment.
“I’m a farmers’ market freak,” said Antioch resident Lucy Meinhardt. “This one keeps me going. It’s got some of the freshest, best produce you’re going to find. A lot of it is organic and I don’t have to go far.”
Fresh Approach Community Ambassador Towanna Turner said her primary goal is to help Richmond residents prevent various diseases by providing easy access to nutrient-rich food.
“I’ve seen people with tears in their eyes because they’re so grateful for healthy food,” she added. “I love being an ambassador because I’m able to help people live better lives.”
Every Tuesday, the Fresh Approach Mobile Farmers’ Market truck stops at the Antioch Senior Center, 415 W 2nd Street, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It moves to the Sutter Delta Medical Center, 3901 Lone Tree Way, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.