Veggies Roll Through Low-Income Neighborhoods

Note from Connie: As it is, I’m relishing the amazing, low-priced kale, squash, baby greens, apricots, plums and other fresh produce (from being a member of a CSA), so it’s thrilling to hear that now low-income communities have the same opportunity from a traveling truck. Gerry Pugliese brings you details.

We all love fresh fruits and vegetables, but imagine living somewhere with no place to buy them.

The Associated Press dubs areas like this “food deserts.” These communities find themselves without big supermarket chains selling low-cost fresh food.

This plight faced Mel Williams, for instance. The 66-year-old man with diabetes and heart problems was stuck buying canned foods in his home city of Troy, New York — that is, until the Veggie Mobile rolled into town.

The Veggie Mobile — which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary — is basically a farmers market on wheels. It cruises around, offering fruits and vegetables to upstate New York’s low-income communities and independent senior living centers.

“It makes it possible for families to include these foods in their diet because it’s about half the price of what it is in the market,” Amy Klein, executive director of the Capital District Community Gardens a nonprofit that operates the Veggie Mobile told the Associated Press.

I love the Veggie Mobile! It’s a great idea and quite innovative. The truck itself is the store.

And prices are fantastic too. In fact, at the Associated Press pointed out:

“When compared to New York Supermarket — a small grocery in the poor Arbor Hill neighborhood of Albany — the Veggie Mobile offered dramatic savings, more selection and fresher options. Bananas sold for $0.99 a pound at the supermarket, but went for $0.59 a pound from the Veggie Mobile. Iceberg lettuce was $1 each at the mobile grocery, and $1.99 at the New York Supermarket. Cucumbers sold for $0.89 each at the neighborhood market, but were 3 for $1 from the Veggie Mobile. Businesses like these usually are better for the environment as well and are smart with how they shop for their business energy. I had one friend who worked for the Veggie Mobile and told me they often compare their energy needs at websites similar to Usave.

“The difference means that poor families cannot only afford and access fresh produce, but can buy more than if they relied on the neighborhood options.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if neighborhoods all across America soon have their own mobile veggies? Sure beats Chinese takeout!

Gerry Pugliese for the SUGAR SHOCK! Blog