This is a response to Susan Jen’s June 27 commentary about the growing epidemic of obesity in this country and what part Lake County is taking in fighting this epidemic.

In addition to the sources Ms. Jen mentioned to help this national problem, I wanted to also mention the Lake County Community Co-op (LCCC).

LCCC seeks to help support our local farmers and producers of fresh, local and sustainable food here in Lake County by connecting them in different ways to the community.

By helping the community know who these farmers are and where this food is produced, the LCCC hopes that more people can have an opportunity to eat fresher and more organic produce that’s rich in nutrition and important fiber that Ms. Jen talks about in her commentary.

The volunteer-run LCCC has a wonderful weekly CSA box available by purchase to its members which always holds an array of quality organic fruits and vegetables grown locally and regionally.

We’ve established the popular Friday Night Farmer’s Market, held in Clearlake during the months of June through September at Redbud Park (not Redbud Library as the commentary stated). Currently, the hours are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. but will change in September to 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition, the LCCC holds monthly educational gatherings open to both its paid members and general public where we gather for local farm tours and have other food-related topics discussed during the off growing season.

And check out JoAnn Saccato’s recent letter here on Lake County News (Saccato: Grateful for excitement about senior center garden) about the exciting, LCCC-involved community garden momentum that’s growing in Clearlake at the Senior Citizens Center.

The co-op is yet another important entity in Lake County that is helping the community seek ways to eat healthier and thus be healthier by eating locally grown produce that ultimately should help steer folks away from other types of food that fuels the obesity epidemic.

Please find out more by going to http://lakeco-op.org or call 707-993-4270.

Lori Patotzka is a Clearlake resident and Lake County Community Co-op volunteer.