Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 4
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds not to exceed $20,000 to Fresh Approach to support the distribution of fresh food incentive vouchers for the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market, and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 4 has submitted a request to use its district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 4 (Supervisor Gauthier) - Fresh Approach to support the distribution of fresh food incentive vouchers for the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market. |
$20,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 4 indicates that this organization is either a public agency operating within the County, or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. District 4 indicates that the sponsoring Board member, member’s family, and member’s supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Fresh Approach, and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $20,000, to support the distribution of fresh food incentive vouchers for the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District 4 indicates that this organization has not previously received Measure K district-discretionary funding.
Fresh Approach is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with communities and farmers to increase access to locally grown food, culturally relevant nutrition education, and sustainable food systems. Through farmers’ markets, nutrition incentive programs, and community partnerships, Fresh Approach works to reduce barriers to healthy food while strengthening local agricultural economies.
This district-discretionary grant will be used to fund the following project or services:
District-discretionary Measure K funds will support the expansion of Fresh Approach’s VeggieRx voucher program. VeggieRx program participants are typically referred through healthcare providers or community partners and engage in a series of nutrition classes focused on healthy eating, meal preparation, and strategies for incorporating more fresh produce into daily diets. The program connects residents experiencing food insufficiency with fresh fruits and vegetables while also providing nutritional education and skills-building opportunities. Participants receive vouchers to redeem at local farmers’ markets while participating in the program, reinforcing healthy food choices and supporting behavioral changes that improve long-term health outcomes.
Measure K funds will support the distribution and redemption of 2,000 farmers’ market vouchers valued at $10 each, for a total program allocation of $20,000, improving access to fresh fruits and vegetables for residents in East Palo Alto and surrounding District 4 communities.
Based on the established redemption rate of Fresh Approach’s existing Fresh Check incentive program, approximately 90 percent of distributed vouchers are expected to be redeemed. To reach the target of 2,000 redemptions, an estimated 2,250 vouchers will be printed and distributed. Each redeemed voucher represents increased purchasing power for households experiencing food insufficiency and support of our local farmers’ markets throughout the County.
This district-discretionary grant will enable the organization to meet the following currently unmet need or service gap within the County: This district-discretionary grant will help address persistent food insecurity among seniors, youth, and families in District 4 communities, including East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Belle Haven.
District 4 has informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other sources of funding going forward. The grantee organization will use the Measure K grant as follows: The Measure K grant will be used to support the distribution and redemption of farmers’ market vouchers, valued at $10 each.
The project or services funded by this district-discretionary grant will be implemented or provided from April 7, 2026, through May 31, 2027.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $20,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Raffaella Cerruti
Development Director
Fresh Approach
5060 Commercial Ste. C, Concord, CA 94520
1670 South Amphlett Drive, Suite 105 San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 644-6706
raffaellacerruti@freshapproach.com
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Number of farmers’ market vouchers redeemed through the incentive program |
2,000 vouchers |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Funding for this project improves food access, strengthens community health, and supports local food systems in San Mateo County. Fresh Approach will expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables for seniors, youth, and families through the distribution of fresh food incentive vouchers redeemable at the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2025-26 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.