May 5, 2007

Smoking banned at markets

New policy will apply to 45 Bay Area farmers markets

Bay City News

The anti-smoking advocacy group Breathe California reported Friday that the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association is planning to announce a new smoke-free policy for all of its 45 Bay Area markets.

Breathe California spokesman Dave Low said that the official announcement of the Association's new policy would take place Sunday at the Belmont Farmers Market.

The decision to declare the new policy came after board members from the Farmers Market Association decided a ban on smoking would be a good way to promote healthy lifestyles along with healthy food, Low said.

Belmont Mayor Coralin Feierbach is expected to be on hand for the announcement, as well as Farmers Market Association representative Chris Hanks and advocates from Breathe California and the group Smoke-Free San Mateo County Advocates.

Low said the idea to approach the Farmers Market Association came from a group of local Peninsula college students who were vocal about influencing Bay Area businesses and groups to develop anti-smoking policies.

The students, who are predominantly from Skyline College and the College of San Mateo, felt the Farmers Market Association would be receptive to a non-smoking policy because it seemed a large number of shoppers at the market would support the idea.

The Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association - the largest operator of farmers markets in California - worked together with Breathe California and Smoke-Free San Mateo County Advocates to put the new policy in place, according to Low.

The Belmont Farmers Market will take place on the corner of El Camino Real and Oneill Avenue at 10 a.m. Sunday.