Lily Grice, Linnea Carlson, Jamestown Public Market manager, Elizabeth Lopez of the Salvation Army; Molly Howell of Eat Smart WNY; Lt. Samantha Lockard of the Salvation Army are pictured. Submitted photo

More than 700 people visited the Jamestown Mobile Market over an eight-week period.

Defined as a farmers market on wheels, mobile markets have been established across the country in an effort to increase healthy, whole foods access in low-income neighborhoods. The Farmers Market Promotion Program, a USDA federal funding program, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation officials spent the last year planning and implementing a mobile market program servicing residents of Jamestown.

“Mobile markets serve communities to great success in cities across the U.S., including Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. Jamestown has incredible access to fresh produce due to our proximity to local farms, and a mobile market was the next logical step as we looked to expand the Jamestown Public Market, and with it food access,” said Linnea Carlson, Jamestown Public Market manager.

The Jamestown Mobile Market completed an eight-week season visiting four separate locations within the city: the Salvation Army of Jamestown, the Gateway Center, Tree of Life Lutheran Church and Crestline Villa. Each week volunteers assisted in picking up produce from area farms, organizing and packing the fruits and vegetables and distributing food to community members via a partnership with Conduit Ministries. A sponsorship with United Healthcare allowed community members to use $5 coupons to access five different fruit and vegetable servings per market day, or purchase additional produce with cash.

Eat Smart WNY and the Office of the Aging provided food tastings and recipes and produce freezer tips for customers. Community members also donated to customers freezer bags and mason jars for food produce storage. United Healthcare visited each location to distribute information on their benefits as well as reusable shopping bags.

Produce was acquired from three area farms, Hidden Valley Produce of Frewsburg; Abers Acres of Kennedy; and Steady Plow Farms of Sherman. Produce available varied from sweet corn, green beans and potatoes, to more unique options such as ghost peppers, black cherry tomatoes, and purple sweet peppers.

“The mobile market helped me eat more fruits and vegetables; I used to eat bags of chips and now I want tomatoes,” said Virginia Storres of Jamestown. “I have really experienced a lifestyle change because of the program.”

Produce not distributed was donated to the Salvation Army food pantry or St. Susan’s Soup Kitchen.

The Jamestown Mobile Market will launch its second season in June 2019. The aim, according to Carlson, is a longer season, more market locations and an increase in individuals served. The market plans to accept SNAP benefits in the future and continue partnerships with local organizations, churches and non-profits.

Volunteers who helped with the mobile market include: United Healthcare, Katie Castro, Corey Errert, Cameron Linehart, Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman, Tom and Sue Priester, Majors John and Kim Merchant, Elizabeth Lopez, Lieutenant Samantha Lockard, Patty Hammond, Molly Howell, Carey Skelton, Christina Breene, Sharon Reed, Debbie Basile, Tami Berg, Jeff Smith, St. Susan’s Center, Sarah Gilbert, Community Helping Hands, Office of the Aging, the Chautauqua Center, Willow Fodor, Nancy Johnson, Louiza-Case Drmacich, Aaron Lee, Jeff Quatronne, William Mitchell, Andrew Liuzzo, Jessica Frederick, Sue Abers, the Hostettler Family, Ken and Barb Eggleston, Sue Paivanas, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Carol Sorg, Steven Sandberg, Dave Marsh, Chris Aholstrom, Janet Thom and Lily Grice.