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Letters To The Editor

http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_6758649?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com

Letter to Contra Costa Times (30-August-2007)

Final blow?

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read about the proposed closing of Windmill Farms!

How, at a time when half of the nation is having problems with obesity and health specialists can't find more ways to make people to eat healthier food, can Contra Costa Environmental Health Services suggest to close the only farmers market worth it's name in the area?

It is the only place where we can buy fresh and ripe, mostly local produce!

Do they mean that the fruits at grocery stores, that are full of chemicals, sprayed by anything to make it last for weeks, picked long before being ripe, and containing therefore fewer vitamins and nutrients, are better?

How can they be serious? My family spends about a hundred dollars a week at Windmill Farms.

They carry a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, but a lot of other foods too. And they are definitely affordable!

They carry many imported foods that we can't find anywhere else, the people are friendly and helpful, and the location is just perfect!

Actually, when we were looking for a house some years ago, one reason we picked our house was that Windmill Farms was so close and convenient.

We don't need another air-conditioned, overstocked, impersonal and overpriced grocery store in our town.

We want our fresh produce just the way Windmill Farms is offering it to us.

--Lenka Bagherian, San Ramon

http://www.contracostatimes.com/letters/ci_6768705

Windmill Farms

How could the county even think of closing, or demanding changes be made, to Windmill Farms? It's a tradition -- a landmark of San Ramon -- just as it is! I don't know from where these dumb ideas come.

A way to make more money for the city, maybe? Whatever, it's an appalling idea. Keep Windmill Farms how it is and where it is. Many shoppers will be grateful.

Audrey Kobel

Castro Valley

http://www.topix.net/city/san-ramon-ca/2007/08/san-ramons-windmill-market-at-risk-of-closing

The Windmill Farms is the best thing about living here! I will be very upset if it closes. I wonder if there is any discussion about this in the city council meetings...? --Edward Herring

Wednesday Aug 22

It is a sad statement on our society when the rules we place to "protect" ourselves harm our community and the family businesses that have been there to serve us. The patrons of Windmill know what kind of quality they have received in the past, if the health hazards were true we wouldn't shop there, the beauty of the free market is we do not have to return to businesses that harmed us. Plus, why do we want to continue to squeeze out what makes our community unique? Do we all really need another Banana Republic, Starbucks and Subway? Shame on the health department for the lack of consistency of the rules and on the city and county for not coming to the aid of those businesses and people that they should serve.
--Tamara Puzio

I agree entirely! Windmill Farms is the best place to buy healthy food in all of San Ramon. If they sell of this treasure, what's next? Tear down Mount Diablo to put up a giant Harrah's Casino? Mount Diablo doesn't have four walls and a washable floor, but a giant casino does. What kind of values are operating here?- Thomas Albert, Danville, CA

Tuesday Sept 11

The Contra Costa Health Service wants Windmill Farms to remove all bulk food items (grains, nuts, dried fruits, candies, etc) and all cut produce (melons, pineapples, papayas, etc.)
Another word: they just want this business gone.
If today Windmill Market done whoe is going to be next?
Is there anything set up yet for donations so we can help? --Leo

http://www.danvilleweekly.com/square/index.php?i=3&t=98

Danville Weekly

Health department wants changes at Windmill Farms
posted by Editor, Danville Weekly Online, on Aug 30, 2007 at 5:17 pm

The 33-year-old outdoor market, Windmill Farms, a beloved symbol of old time San Ramon Valley, may be forced to shut down by next August if it does not abide by a county health department mandate to build four walls and a ceiling.

Yes, let's board up with roofs and walls everything that may attract an errant fly. Most of the world population do their daily grocery shopping at open air markets and I haven't heard of any recent international bulk candy and sliced melon plagues. Would the Health Department accept Windmill Farms customers' signing health waivers when they purchase their candies and watermelons? Last but not least, my family has purchased our xmas tree at Windmill Farms for the past 10 years and we don't know where else to go. Where do I sign?
Posted by Jimbo, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Aug 30, 2007 at 5:17 pm

What a shame! I don't go there a lot but do when I just need produce, and I always find it charming. I'll sign the petition, too.
Posted by Kate, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Aug 30, 2007 at 7:05 pm

A clean inspection record for 20+ years isn't enough to convince the county health department that there is no danger at Windmill Farms? Where do I sign?
Posted by Lynda Manstrom, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Aug 31, 2007 at 4:02 pm

http://www.theharperteam.com/blog/our-team/old-business-struggles-while-new-one-shines/

One Response to “Old Business Struggles while New One Shines”

fred johnson Says:
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:59 am

It’s very difficult to believe there is a genuine health problem with Windmill Farms, as the health department seems to claim.

I shop there and the experience has benefitted my health. The county bureaucrats have no complaints of anyone’s health being compromised.

You can go to the farmers’ markets in Danville or Castro Valley or Pleasanton or Walnut Creek and find the same “health risks” the bureaucrats exist here. So, why aren’t they acting against the farmers’ markets?

If you talk with the Windmill owners, you will find that the City of San Ramon wants them to build an entirely new store to comply with the City’s architectural plans for a retail center which the City wants to develop. Windmill can’t afford to do it, and they’ve made clear they don’t intend to.

Then, “coincidentally”, along comes some county bureaucrats with these demands to meet pressing health requirements. Again, there are no known complaints about the health of Windmill’s products — and apparently haven’t been for over 30 years. COINCIDENTALLY, it is an easy way to get rid of a property owner which doesn’t want to play ball with the City.

Something stinks here, and it isn’t Windmill Farms’ produce.

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