TIDBITS

Fresh Stand Mobile Food Market

By Lynn Marie Donegan | March 25, 2019

Monique McCoy and Jori Turner, Local Matters team members. Photograph courtesy of Local Matters.

Nonprofit brings good food to neighborhoods in need

When a corporate grocery store shuts down in a neighborhood, accessing fresh, healthy food becomes an increasing challenge to those in that community. That’s why Local Matters is launching Fresh Stand this spring. Fresh Stand is a mobile food market designed to provide affordable, healthy food options to residents who lack them.

“We recognize that, as a nonprofit and a community leader, it is our job to make sure our neighbors have access to fresh, healthy, affordable food,” says Sarah Miller, communications and advocacy manager for Local Matters.

At Local Matters, programs fall into two categories: food education and food access. As a mobile market, Fresh Stand will focus on food access. By collaborating with community partners, Fresh Stand will have four rotating market locations available to the community each week.

In addition to offering healthy, affordable food options, Fresh Stand will incorporate food education through cooking demonstrations conducted by program staff. These demonstrations will provide practical examples of how to prepare easy, healthy meals with fresh ingredients. So, not only will community members be able to purchase healthy food, they’ll also learn how to make delicious meals using the food they buy at market.

“We see that as an essential part of food access success,” Sarah says.

Starting locations for Fresh Stand will be announced in the near future. To learn more about Local Matters, its mission and its impact on the community, visit local-matters.org.