ADDRESSING THE
“FOOD DESERT”
IN NORTH PALM SPRINGS
Our neighbors in the Northern part of District 1 live in what is known as a “Food Desert” — a place that is isolated from, and has limited access to, affordable and nutritious food. The inequality is shameful for a thriving community like ours, and we can work together to help ease this.
As the northern part of the district experiences an increase in housing developments, a case can be made to corporate interests to begin analyzing the area for placement of a supermarket. Past city councils have attempted to convince corporations to open markets, but they did not have the benefit of citing the population growth planned for the area. I will make that a top priority. Working as a community, we can initiate ideas that will benefit all of our residents.
With my record of fundraising and experience at helping grassroots projects become successful, we can work with the community to create a food co-op. A food co-op is a community owned and operated grocery store that works with local California farmers to bring fresh produce and groceries into the community.
A food co-op would elevate the community’s lack of access to fresh food, while also increasing community investment in the neighborhood.
Business leaders in our community and/or the city would invest in a co-op that would provide affordable fresh food and local jobs to our residents in District 1.
Our residents would be involved in the day-to-day operations, food choices, and overall success of the co-op.
As it grows, the co-op has the opportunity to expand to include a pharmacy and banking, potentially filling the void of other essential services missing in the community.
Find Food Bank provides a weekly Grocery delivery for families in vicinity of the James O Jessie Community Center. I will work to increase access to food banks throughout our entire district for all our residents currently experiencing food and nutrition challenges.