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Let's face it. Unless you live or work near Fulton Mall, chances are you won't be coming here to stroll the plentiful shops or the farmers market. There are quite a few factors that make this mall less appealing than....let's say, River Park. For one, the parking is not free. This IS downtown after all. You either have to park in a garage and pay an hourly fee or rely on the parking meters. Whereas, at River Park, parking is abundant and doesn't cost a quarter. Another factor is the overall variety. Here, at the Fulton Mall, many of the restuarants are Mexican-themed and the primary language spoken around here is Spanish. This is an area rich in Hispanic culture, from the boutique shops that sell quinceanera dresses to the fine leather boots. At River Park, the food and shopping establishments vary from burger joints to high end sushi and steak eateries to Victoria Secret to Macys. These two areas can best be summed up as a tale of two cities. Sure, River Park is newer and fancier and serves a more high end clientele. But one thing this modern faciility lacks is the overall history and pride built into over 45 years at the Fulton Mall.

Local news station, ABC-30, aired a story on our very own Market on the Mall. The story described the need for a farmers market in the Valley, as it promotes a healthy and nutritious lifestyle for Valley residents. Local farmers from around the Valley came together to learn how they can get involved in bringing fresh, healthy and local foods direct to the customers. Check out the story here and the accompanying video!

Market on the Mall is dedicated to providing healthy alternatives to all individuals - especially our low-income residents here in the Valley. That is why we have launched Fresh Top's, our new program that will essentially give selected individuals more money to spend right here at the famers market. This program is open to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) clients, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) recipients and/or recipients of WIC or FMNP senior vouchers.

What Fresh Top's will do is give an extra 50 cents for every $1 spent at the Market. For example, if $10 were spent at the Market, the customer will be given an extra $5 to spend on any fruits or vegetables of their choice. This gives the customer a grand total of $15 that they could use at the Market. That is $15 of healthy and nutritious choices that they might not have otherwise been able to afford anywhere else. That is absolutely free money they can take advantage of and in these tough economic times, a little extra money will go a long way in feeding the homes of many impoverished families in our community.

In Fresno County alone, there are over 25,000 WIC participants and countless EBT recipients. That amounts to over 30,000 individuals that can greatly benefit from Fresh Tops here in the Valley. There are three days recipients can take advantage of this program: Wednesday and Friday, during Market on the Mall hours and also on Tuesday, during The Garden Market at nearby Courthouse Park.

Has your 9-5 job desk job left you feeling sore? Is all that walking in the Fulton Mall making your joints ache? Well, we've got the perfect remedy to ease your tired bones! Come out every Wednesday at Market on the Mall and join Yoga Instructor Richard Stone as he demonstrates different asanas (better known as yoga poses). Starting at noon, he will take participants through several poses, each designed to put you in a physically and mentally relaxed state of mind. Come out and unwind during your lunch hour and you just might find yourself in the downward-facing dog pose - but we advise you eat lunch afterwards, if you do so! Stone has been an instructor at the Yoga Center of Fresno for 25 years and we are excited to have him at the Market!

With his sleeves rolled up, a sunflower draped apron tied snugly around his waist and a big smile on his face, Congressman Jim Costa became simply known as Chef Costa on Friday, August 20. Rep. Costa took time out of his busy schedule to promote healthy and nutritious living at the Market by preparing one of his favorite meals, a Mediterranean style sandwich with hummus on a flat bread. Far removed from his usual office environment, the talk was not on politics, but on how Valley residents can take advantage of the affordable and nutritious fruits and veggies offered at the market.

Rep. Costa made sure to speak with each vendor before the demonstration in an effort to get to know those serving our Valley and to find out how our community can play a vital role in combatting obesity in the Valley. He is no stranger to the advocacy of nutrition and food safety, having been a key advocate of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program in 2008.

Costa was joined by Eric Amador - a renowned former White House chef (who has served Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama), Chef Jon Escobar of EOC Food Services and Chef Judy Lee from WIC. Each offered their own take on delicious, healthy meals that everyone can make in the comfort of their own kitchens. Lisa Pino, USDA's Deputy Administrator for the Supplemental Food Association Program (SNAP) was also in attendance to oversee the festivities. In addition to cooking demonstrations, Market patrons also enjoyed a free yoga session by instructor Richard Stone of The Yoga Center in Fresno. Live music could also be heard throughout the market by the EOC's own Jeremy Hofer and his band, Walkingmercy. Proving to be quite a busy and festive Friday turned out to be a success for Market on the Mall

DIAZ FARMS

LEE FARM

Sounds of active children laughing and shouting in delight could be heard from across the way at Market on the Mall on Wednesday, June 30. With a soccer ball propped on one knee, each excited child attempted to bounce the ball from one knee to another. Across from them were more children kicking soccer balls into a net, trying to score a goal, while members of the Fresno Fuego soccer team watched attentively.

This event successfully accomplished what it was set out to, which was to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children, as well as adults, said Maria Zapata, Community Health Leader for Network for a Healthy California. Daily activity (of any kind) for everyone is the key to a healthier outlook on life. “Children need 60 minutes a day of physical activity, while adults need 30 minutes," Zapata said. "It can be walking, running or whatever suits the person, just as long as the person takes the time to do it.”

Festivities of the day included fun activities for children, healthy food samples for all, prizes to lucky contestants; and three members of the Fresno Fuego were on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and participate in the fun soccer games. Using the popularity of the FIFA World Cup that is currently being played daily as a promotional tool, now seemed like the appropriate time to bring residents out to Market on the Mall to meet their own soccer stars right here in the valley.

The event was a joint venture by the Network for a Healthy California, Market on the Mall and the Fresno Downtown Association.

Calling all Fresno Fuego fans! Your favorite Fresno Fuego soccer players will be out in full force to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, as well as promote healthy choices and Market on the Mall to the Latino Community. Univision Radio - KOND will also be on hand to provide music to the festivities, which will include soccer games, food demonstrations, fun activities and prizes for everyone. So come on out, get your kicks and join in on the fun!

1. Freshness – Everything sold at this certified farmers markets is fresher and better tasting due to the fact that the food is grown practically in your own backyard. Freshness right at your fingertips and it didn’t even have to cross the state!  It doesn’t get better than that.   

2. Variety – You never know what you’re going to get at a farmers market. With the wide array of farmers and foods on hand, the possibilities are endless. Different farmers bring different variety of produce and products, so if you are looking for one type of strawberry and don’t see it the first vendor – keep looking! Chances are it might be right in front of you.