Fresh, healthy and accessible food is an issue across North America. Many organizations, such as YMCAs, need better tools to serve their community where they live, work and play. That’s why mobile produce market programs are being launched with the help of The Farmers’ Truck.
The Farmers’ Truck has designed human-centered mobile market vehicles to help organizations like YMCAs feed hundreds of people a week with fresh fruits, vegetables and other staples. The market trucks are designed to be convenient, accessible and go where the community needs them most.
Tamara Dawson is the director of programs for The Campaign Against Hunger in Brooklyn, New York. Her organization bought a Farmers’ Truck several years ago, and she said the truck has been an excellent solution for improving healthy food access.
“We’ve been able to target different age groups depending on the location. So, we go from pregnant moms and zero years, all the way up to seniors,” she said in a press release. “Having fresh produce and culturally appropriate produce, at a fraction of the cost, is a big plus.”
Sarah Nordwick, the CEO of the Community Food Bank of San Benito County in California, said their Farmers’ Truck was nicknamed ‘Benny,’ and it helps serve more than 400 families every week.
“It’s been instrumental in decreasing the stigma of using a food bank,” said Nordwick. “As we all know, it’s hard to ask for help or accept help, but being at this vehicle is pretty cool, and it looks different.”
Doug Wooley of Denver, Colorado, is a customer of the GoFarm Mobile Produce Market Program. The GoFarm Farmers’ Truck visits his apartment complex on a regular basis and provides him access to fresh, healthy food he normally wouldn’t have access to due to mobility issues.
“With GoFarm showing up right outside our front door, we do not need to go far, and we know the quality of the food is better than some of the local grocery stores, as well as locally sourced,” he said.
In Gloucester, Massachusetts, The Open Door food pantry utilizes its Farmers’ Truck to feed people of all ages, including children at Veteran’s Memorial Elementary School. Matthew Fusco, the principal of the school, said improving access to fresh fruits and vegetables creates healthy opportunities for children and their families as well.
“It gives kids and families access to loads of fruits and vegetables that kids would not get,” said Fusco. “I have seen students get the vegetables and fruit for their parents before walking home, which is very gratifying.”
At this time, the Farmers’ Truck is helping to serve 20,000 families a week with fresh, healthy food. Their goal is to reach 1 million families every week by the year 2030.
With your help, The Farmers’ Truck can achieve this goal. Reach out to their team today and get started.
