Alameda County Social Services Opens Affordable Organic Produce Stand

By Amanda Aguilar/Patch

Organic produce, once out of reach for many recipients of public assistance due to price and location, may appear at more holiday dinners this year thanks to a new Farm Stand that the Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) is offering to its clients, staff and the public. 

The organic produce stand is located at 24100 Amador Street in Hayward at the Eden Area Multi-Service Center. It will be open every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.                 

CalFresh recipients will be able to use their EBT cards to purchase healthy organic fruits vegetables and other offerings.  Cash and credit cards will also be accepted.

The County’s Board of Supervisors recently approved a service agreement with Dig Deep Farms and Produce, a workforce program of the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs Activities League (DSAL).  The goal of this pilot project is to provide job training and employment to CalWORKs participants, while also making organic fruits and vegetables available to recipients of public assistance.

“We recognize that many of our clients live in food deserts and have little or no access to fresh fruits and vegetables.  For the vast majority of the people we serve, organic produce has been priced out of reach,” said Lori A. Cox, the Agency’s director.  “We are thrilled to offer our clients, staff and the public the opportunity to purchase organic produce at reasonable prices right outside our doors.”

She added that two additional locations are scheduled to open in late January and February at SSA’s Eastmont and North Oakland Self Sufficiency Centers.