A 2013 study by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) found that people in low-income neighborhoods are less likely to use farmers markets, not because of price, but due to lack of information and inaccessibility.
The Trustees Mobile Farmers Market is trying to change that by coming to community sites in Dorchester and Roxbury with seasonal produce, meat and dairy for sale. All products will be sourced locally, which is a first for a mobile market in Boston.
“Our goal for the Trustees Mobile Farmers Market is to make shopping for healthy, locally-produced food as easy and affordable as possible,” says the Trustees program director Cathy Wirth in a statement. Prices are economical and vendors will be accepting both cash and credit. Individuals receiving SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits can expect to be supported as well.
“We hope that our community locations, reasonable prices, and acceptance of SNAP and food access program benefits will provide more people with an opportunity to experience how different and delicious food can taste when it’s produced and harvested nearby,” adds Wirth.
The Trustees Mobile Farmers Market will also be working with the new Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) launched in April. Those using HIP benefits can have their purchases of local fruits and vegetables matched when purchased at participating farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets or farm shares.
This program was founded with the help of Fresh Truck and the Boston Public Market. Fresh Truck is a nonprofit organization which similarly works to end the dearth of local, organic food in particular Boston communities.
“Our mission has always been to address the community health challenges linked to poor food access,” says Fresh Truck co-founder and executive director Josh Trautwein in a statement. “We are happy to be part of the solution by supporting partners in Boston and beyond who want to launch mobile markets and build connections to healthy food.”
The pilot season of the market will run every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, except holidays, through November 4 at the Dorchester Head Start, Whittier Street Health Center, Dimock Center and Roxbury YMCA. More information and locations can be found at the Trustees Mobile Farmers Market website.
