Community Outreach

In 2004, CCCFM created a separate nonprofit 501c3 organization called NEAR. The purpose of the nonprofit was to seek grants to reach out to the community to teach about nutrition education and agricultural sustainability.

NEAR’s mission was to educate and increase consumption of local, seasonal, fresh fruits and vegetables. CCCFM’s goal was to help consumers develop taste preferences for healthy food through Farmers’ Markets learning centers. Our goals included promoting activities at local schools such as vegetable gardens, salad bars and Harvest-of-the-Month programs. We were able teach and to show schoolchildren how to grow, harvest, prepare and enjoy fruits and vegetables.

The collaboration with the educational, and health communities, environmental and business organizations made our vision a reality. We are proud our market Association was involved.

NEAR, Contra Costa Certifed Farmers' Market, and  Kaiser Permanente joined forces in the Autumn of 2006 to introduce the concept of eating fresh, locally and seasonally to our local schools.

Salad Bar

A pilot Farm to School Salad Bar Program was started by CCCFM at Strandwood Elementary School in Pleasant Hill, with the cooperation of the Mount Diablo Unified School district.

The School Gardens

CCCFM has been able to facilitate an amazing organic garden called The Troy Spencer Memorial Garden at the Pleasant Hill Middle School. It was built to facilitate school wide education through the energy and support of Pleasant Hill Middle, The PTSA, Mount Diablo Unified School District and the entire Pleasant Hill community.

College Park High School Organic Garden (Pleasant Hill)

A collaboration of these organizations worked with the College Park High School PTSA by planting an organic garden on the school grounds. The student curriculum was provided with many educational opportunities associated with the garden.

The plan is to develop a program to bring local, seasonal and mostly organic produce via a future salad bar to a local school.