It’s the season for holiday gift lists and New Year’s resolutions. At this time of year, I like to reflect on the past year, and decide how I can make the next one better – for me, for the community, for the environment.

A few of my resolutions for 2011 include:

• Drive less.
  I cover community health issues across the San Joaquín Valley, so I drive A LOT. In 2011, I will contribute to the region’s clean air movement by making an even bigger effort to walk or bike when possible.
  To learn more about Fresno’s efforts to become bike-friendly, visit ibikefresno.org.
• BE local.
  In 2011, I will strive to support local businesses; eat locally grown produce; and support local authors, bands, and artists.
  To learn about great local businesses, food and wine makers, and artists, check out the Fresno Beehive’s awesome ‘Buy Local’ gift guide.
• Be part of the change.
  In 2011, I will support local food banks that are doing so much to end hunger in our community. Today, I will support Roots of Change’s petition to Gov. Jerry Brown to support healthy foods and farms during his time in office. You should, too!

The petition, available here, reads:

California’s food system should provide healthy and affordable food, benefits and wealth to workers and farmers. Policies should be in place to reduce greenhouse gases and nitrogen and help restore the soil, water, species diversity, and climate upon which food production depends.”

What are your resolutions for 2011? What kind of changes would you like to see, and be part of, in your community?

 Images via: aplamancha.blogspot.com; waca-cal.org

Too often, lower-income families in the San Joaquín Valley can’t afford to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Well, the organization Roots of Change, with the support of groups like the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, is doing something to change that.

Since July 28, families who shop at two downtown Fresno farmers markets, and who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), WIC assistance, or senior WIC assistance, have had the opportunity to bring home more healthy food for their families, without paying a cent more than normal.

Through the Fresh Tops program, a person can receive an extra 50 cents for every dollar he or she spends on produce at the farmers market. That means that a customer who spends $10 at the Market on the Mall (on the Fulton Mall) or the Garden Market (at Courthouse Park) could receive another $5 incentive, allowing he or she to buy $15 worth of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. (The program will continue until funds expire.)

What a great deal – and a great way to improve the health of our community.

I caught up with Jensen Vang of the EOC at the Market on the Mall on Wednesday afternoon. I put down my bags of fresh peaches, pluots, blueberries, raspberries, and yellow raspberries, and pulled out my notebook, as he told me more about the program.

He said the program has proved to be a win-win for both lower-income families, who can now afford to purchase more locally grown fruits and vegetables, and for local growers, who are selling more produce.

Whether you are eligible for the Fresh Tops program, or just like purchasing local produce, visit the Garden Market at Courthouse Park on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Market on the Mall, on the Fulton Mall, on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.