For many years the corner of 47th and Castana Street was a vacant lot, often utilized for criminal activity, along the Chollas Creek in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Southeastern San Diego. This past summer, neighborhood residents, the San Diego Civic Innovation Lab, and Groundwork San Diego, collaborated together to transform the lot into what is now the Chollas Creek Crossing, a community gathering space complete with walking paths, native plant landscaping, mosaic art benches and shade structures. All that was missing was a reason for residents to gather and enjoy the new space as a community.

October 25, 2014 provided three reasons for residents to get together in the Chollas Gathering Space.  In recognition of National Food Day, the People’s Produce Farmers Market celebrated its grand re-opening at its new location at the Chollas Creek Crossing in Southeastern San Diego. County of San Diego officials kicked off the opening of the farmers market by honoring Diane Moss, executive director of  Project New Village (PNV), with a proclamation, which declared October 25 ‘Project New Village Day’ throughout San Diego County. The declaration commends her work in the community helping residents live healthier, more safe and thriving lives by increasing access to fresh, nutritious, and local foods. For these reasons PNV was recognized as an official Live Well San Diego partner.

The market attracted over 11 vendors including local food artisans. San Ysidro Health Centers and Covered California hosted tables, and, nutrition educators from Home Start providing market visitors a tasting of the Harvest of the Month vegetable -- the sweet potato. Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention (CX3) Project hosted an interactive Fruit & Veggie toss game with cookbooks as prizes.

The People’s Produce Farmers Market is the only certified farmers’ market in Southeastern San Diego, which also accepts SNAP/EBT and WIC benefits. The community is invited to check out the new home of the People’s Produce Farmers Market at the Chollas Creek Crossing at 47th and Castana Street every Saturday from 3pm-6pm.