"In Tower Neighbourhoods, the MGFM has not only provided access to fresh food, but has also generated a new level of social activity at street level."
BARBARA EMANUEL
Toronto Public Health
Many Torontonians have to travel too far to get good food. In a lot of our neighbourhoods, convenience stores and fast food chains offer high-calorie, nutrient-poor options only. We also see rising food costs, an obesity epidemic, and residents lacking in basic food skills. Toronto Public Health wants to promote fresh produce and other healthy foods in the neighbourhoods that need it most.
So together with FoodShare we created the “Grab Some Good” Mobile Good Food Market – essentially a fresh fruit and vegetable store on wheels. It brings good, healthy food to low-income communities who have barriers accessing fresh groceries.
The MGFM has been a great success. Communities seem to love it, and really appreciate the quality of food sold. In Tower Neighbourhoods, the MGFM has not only provided access to fresh food, but has also generated a new level of social activity at street level. We have requests to bring the MGFM to many more communities than we are able to serve. But the good news is, we put a second bus on the road, with the potential for more to come. Operating funds have been provided through the City’s poverty reduction strategy, and will allow us to continue and broaden our service.
We look forward to bringing fresh, healthy food to more communities, including tower neighbourhoods across the city, and hope that others will join us in their own fresh food initiatives!
For more information visit http://foodshare.net/program/mobile/