The East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market
The East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market (www.ehfarmersmkt.com) was created by Thai CDC to improve access to fresh affordable locally-grown fruits and vegetables and encourage healthy behavior among low-income and vulnerable populations in the underserved neighborhood of East Hollywood. It fulfills broader economic development and health promotion goals, such as:
- Promotes healthy communities and launch an ongoing Healthy Diet Campaign.
- Supports financial incentives (direct purchasing agreements with restaurateurs), marketing programs, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) that ensures the financial sustainability of farmers.
- Increases awareness of and access to local food programs and products that enable families to live healthier.
Food for the Hungry
Promoting Healthier Lifestyles
Diabetes and obesity are the top two diseases in the community. Almost a quarter (24.2 percent) of 5th, 7th, and 9th grade children in Hollywood is considered obese.[1] Within the Metro Service Planning Area 4 of Los Angeles County, where East Hollywood is located, 70 percent of adults with diabetes are low-income; almost 80 percent of adults reporting fair/poor health are low-income.[2] According to Census 2000, 35% of residents in East Hollywood live below the poverty line, compared to the state average of 14%. In 2009, 16% of residents and 22% of children age 0-17 in Los Angeles County lived below the federal poverty line.[3] According to a food assessment of the Hollywood area conducted in 2002-03 by the LA Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness, only 17% of all the participants surveyed eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, and 38% report eating fruits and vegetables at a rate of less than once per day. The East Hollywood Farmers’ Market (EHFM) will promote access to affordable healthy foods and encourage healthy eating in this underserved community.
As part of the USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program Planning Projects awarded in 2006, Thai CDC organized three focus groups targeting the main ethnic groups in East Hollywood (Latino, Thai and Armenian), and conducted sixteen one-on-one interviews with farmers’ market operators and vendors to learn all aspects of running a farmers’ market in low-income neighborhoods.
[1] “Prevalence of Childhood Obesity, 2007.” County of Los Angeles Public Health, Office of Epidemiology: 2009. This figure represents the percent of obese children in the Hollywood Community Planning Area, which includes East Hollywood, as well as wealthier hillside neighborhoods. The Los Angeles average is 23.9 percent and median is 24.3 percent.
[2] “Chronic Conditions of Californians: Findings from the 2003 California Health Interview Survey.” University of California, Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research: 2005.
[3] Bureau of the Census, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates.
Market Synergy
Our Strategy
Location Metro Plaza located at Hollywood/Western provides enough space for growth and cultural activities. With access to electricity, water, restrooms, ATM machines and public transportion, the farmer’s market possesses all of the qualities to satisfy current demand and future growth.
Operating Hours Open every Monday and Thursday between the hours of 3:30pm and 7:30pm, the East Hollywood Farmer’s Market provides the perfect access to commuters coming home from work.
Affordable Rent Vendors who are growers pay 7% and other vendors pay 10% per stall, per market day.
Cultural IntegrationBy organizing 12 events a a year in collaboration with youth, cultural and contemporary performers, Thai CDC aims to raise the profile of the market while promoting cultural awareness.
Become a Vendor
Contact Audrey Hollis at Audrey@thaicdc.org or by phone at 323 468-2555.