Alkali Flat is going fresh

Finding fresh produce in Alkali Flat, a neighborhood without supermarkets, has become increasingly difficult, residents say.

But this summer, it will be easier, thanks to a "mini-farmers market" that will operate from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at J. Neely Johnson Park, at F and 11th streets.

Officially called "an urban farm stand," the market will initially feature about 15 stands -- most of them with tomatoes, summer squash, cherries, plums and other items from valley farms. The produce will be both organic and conventional.

The weekly market will help fill the void left by the flight of supermarkets that were within walking distance of Alkali Flat, said Lisa Nelson of the Sacramento Mutual Housing Association.

"The closest grocery store to Alkali Flat had been an Albertsons store on F Street near 23rd Street, but it closed last year," said Nelson, whose agency is one of two nonprofits that joined forces to launch the urban farm stand.

The other is the Alchemist Community Development Corp. of Sacramento, which concluded that access to fresh produce was a top priority for Alkali Flat residents.

In the spring of 2006 -- before Albertsons closed -- the Alchemist Community group hosted a meeting at the Boys & Girls Club on G Street to discuss Alkali Flat concerns. The 35 people who turned out said the closure of Albertsons would make it harder for residents to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables.

As a result, Nelson said, the Sacramento Mutual Housing Association and the Alchemist Community Development Corp. created the plan to buy fresh produce from area farmers and then resell it at the weekly urban farm stand.

About $15,000 has been set aside to fund the weekly project through October. The money emanates from a $200,000 grant that the California Wellness Foundation awarded the Sacramento Mutual Housing Association in 2005 to develop health-related programs in low-income neighborhoods.

"The urban farm stand will provide very fresh produce and support local farmers," Nelson said. "We're looking to have it sustain itself, with some profit to be rolled into investment, including (money to hire) a coordinator for the weekly event."

Produce prices, she added, will be "competitive." So will the prices of local arts and crafts at five of the booths.

The urban farm stand has the full backing of City Hall, Councilman Ray Tretheway said.

"This will be right on the doorstep of Alkali Flat," said Tretheway, whose district includes Alkali Flat. "I think the fresh produce, the camaraderie, will be a wonderful addition for residents of Alkali Flat.

"It'll be a place where people can go after work; a great tool to build community," he said.

The first urban farm stand was held this week. The next one is set for July 17.

"I think holding this farmers market is a good idea," said Hortensia Colmenarez, 73, who lives on 13th Street, less than two blocks from J. Neely Johnson Park.

"Right now, I drive to Northgate Boulevard to buy groceries at a Mexican supermarket," she said.

"It'll be nice to have fruits and vegetables on sale closer to home. I'll certainly shop at the park."

Her hope, Colmenarez said, is that the farm stand will be open to all vendors, including residents who might wish to sell homemade tamales, quilts, paintings or other products.

"This event should be open to economically-disadvantaged vendors, not just people of influence," she said.

The farm stand will be open to everyone, Nelson said. "As far as tamales and other homemade foods, we have to work on those," she said.

"But vendor-tabling fees will be discounted for low-income residents" showcasing other products, she said.

For more information about the urban farm stand, call (916) 224-2832.

About the writer:

• * * * The Bee's Edgar Sanchez can be reached at (916) 321-1088 or esanchez@sacbee.com.