In 2009, starting on August 14th, through the efforts and contributions of the community and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Delridge Produce Cooperative presented a 16-part series of moving informational produce-collection-and-distribution centers.
At each of four locations along Delridge Way SW, a regular day was chosen to host the project for all four consecutive weeks. The dates ran from August 14th to September 7th:
Friday: 9050, Watts Electric, 3:30-7:30pm
Saturday: 6535, Care-A-Lot Learning Center, 11am-3pm
Sunday: Delridge P-Patch (next to Cottage Grove Park on Brandon), 11am-3pm
Monday: 4408, Youngstown, 3:30-7:30pm
The 'Market' served as a collection point for donations of produce from backyard growers, P-Patchers, Washington farmers, and local contributing businesses. We gave away the produce as it was collected to demonstrate how we can work together as a community to ensure food resiliency, food security, food diversity, and food prosperity.
Starting on August 21st, we distributed informational pamphlets in many of the major languages spoken in Delridge Neighborhood. These contained information on local food resources, gardening, health, fitness, and parks. Our goal for this part of the project was to encourage interaction between organizations and individuals which have difficulty communicating due to cultural differences, and increase the general awareness of the health-related resources available in the neighborhood.
Our survey collected information about what kind of produce people want, what they want to pay for it, how much of it they want, and where they want to buy it. The surveys was administered in many major locally-spoken languages, and the information collected is available here. This information will make it easier for any business to provide healthier food for Delridge.
The project was partly staffed by youth from the King County Superior Court Community Program, Vocational Educational Service Training. The youth learned skills that will help them get better jobs, provide them with positive references, and build thier community connections.
At our wrap-up "Thank-you Party," we had a great band, sort of funky-folk-reggae; Luke and the Lovettes, who just cut a record. The food was delicious, with fruit salad from Madison Market and chocolate-covered strawberries and oatmeal-raisin cookies from a local caterer, as well as other goodies. We had Chas Redmond and Phillippia Goldsmith speak about the importance of the local food movement. Laurie Ames was there to witness the successful conclusion of the project. The last song of the evening was sung with the help of Ivo Iding, 2-year-old son of Ranette Iding, who is co-chair of DPC. Everyone got to take home tote bags full of apples and pears to give to thier friends. We had at least one attendee who said that they would like to join our weekly meetings. DPC will be tabling at "Eat Local Now" to garner Founding Memberships, and Chas Redmond and I decided that we'd give out free tote bags to all the people who go to that event. About forty people came - we didn't get an exact count. The 'Mobile Market' came in under budget, and we definitely helped the neighborhood learn about the importance of local organic food. It seems that everyone is really excited about the next steps for DPC and all the other healthy food projects in Delridge. Especially: everyone wants to know what DPC will do next. The next steps are as follows: decide on a business model, sell enough memberships to purchase a business license, obtain a loan, find a leasable location in North Delridge, work with South Seattle Community College to furnish a storefront, and open by Spring 2010.
Support for this project and for the Delridge Produce Cooperative has been overwhelming from many pockets of the Delridge Neighborhood. We hope to contribute to the well-being of the neighborhood and increase support for efforts to improve the food system. To help, please email delridgeproducecoop@gmail.com. We look forward to connecting with you, and we hope that you have a great summer!
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