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The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport Center for Food Equity and Economic Development—FEED received a $60,000 grant to launch the market.
“We are incredibly excited to incorporate a retail space on wheels into our core programs," said FEED Center Director, Michelle McCabe.
The mobile unit will be a vehicle similar in appearance to a food truck though not one where you can purchase food then eat it there.
The market will carry fresh produce and other food with an emphasis on locally grown items. There will be packaged foods that consumers may purchase then take home to heat and serve.
These include FEED's own product line which is prepared meals made from food and produce that has been "rescued" from the local area.
"We're are in the process of planning and scheduling. There will be four stops every week in Bridgeport and at least two stops per week in Fairfield and Westport," McCabe said.
The market is for all area residents and will accept SNAP benefits and all forms of payment, cash, credit cards, and EBT cards.
In addition to supporting local and city growers and food businesses, the new farmers market will give food access to area residents.
“We will be partnering with our network of food pantries in order to allow residents to increase access to fresh foods including our FEED line of prepared meals and stretch their food dollars,” said McCabe.
“It’s a great way for neighboring towns to support Bridgeport’s food renaissance while eating delicious products,” said McCabe.
FEED’s commitment to using recovered produce and supporting Bridgeport food entrepreneurs fuels the social mission of its enterprise.
“The Foundation’s Mobile Market initiative is focused on expanding access to fresh, healthy food for low-income, high-need areas such as Bridgeport – and ultimately improving the food environment for families throughout New England," said Mike Devlin of the Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, which awarded the funding.
Area farmers and food entrepreneurs interested in becoming a seller at the mobile farmers market should contact The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport Center Center for more information at 203-334-1121.
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