There are a number of efforts underway in our community to bring healthier, more affordable food options to Portlanders who have traditionally lacked them - our '1,000 Gardens' campaign, our work to serve healthier food in community centers and at events in our parks, and the Multnomah Food Action Plan are a few examples.

BlueOregon's Kyle Curtis has posted a great story about this work, highlighting the Village Market corner story in the New Columbia neighborhood, writing that "Perhaps the one model that best represents the ideal outcome of the Healthy Retail Initiative is the Village Market located at North Portland's New Columbia neighborhood."

We were very proud to partner on this project, which brought a community-run market story full of healthy, affordable food to a neighborhood with no grocery store within a mile and a half.

Last month, we were honored to present a 'Commissioner's Selection' Spirit of Portland award to Amber Baker of Janus Youth and the team for their extraordinary work to bring this vision to life.

Read more: The Multnomah County Healthy Retail Initiative and the Village Market: A Closer Look