Columbia Launches Mobile Markets to Combat Food Insecurity in Food Deserts

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mobile Markets for Food Security

The City of Columbia is rolling up its sleeves and diving headfirst into the challenge of food insecurity, and guess what? They’re doing it in style with mobile markets! This exciting initiative is designed for residents in neighborhoods that are missing a grocery store, also known as food deserts. During a City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, they approved a hefty $143,000 contract with none other than Tom’s Creek Family Farms, ensuring that their Food Insecurity Solutions Program can keep on truckin’ into the next year!

What’s the Buzz About?

Launched back in March, this innovative program is all about bringing the food right to the community. Denise Wellman, who heads up the Cottontown Neighborhood Association, expressed the fears of many locals, saying, “The neighbors of all neighborhoods close by are concerned that we don’t have one close by. So it is a bit of a food desert.” To put it simply, while folks love their grocery options over in the Vista and down in Five Points, those spots are just a little too far away for a quick trip.

What’s a Food Desert?

A 2020 report from Columbia’s Food Equity Subcommittee really highlighted this issue. I mean, can you imagine living in an area where the closest grocery store is over half a mile away? And for many residents, reaching those stores is no walk in the park either, especially when you don’t have a car. That’s exactly why this mobile market initiative strides into action—it’s all about making fresh produce more accessible!

Bringing Fresh Food Closer to Home

Ayesha Driggers, the director of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities, explained perfectly, “We’re bringing the market to the community. One of the big issues with food insecurities is lack of transportation. It was important to the city to bring those markets to the community where our citizens exist.”

Since this awesome program kicked off, it’s already been making waves. Operating at three regular locations, the mobile markets are serving around 25 customers each day and pulling in about $620 in sales daily! Plus, they just added a fourth stop at the COMET Central bus station on Sumter Street, which is now officially a part of the mobile market roster thanks to the extended contract that’s been funded by private donations and a little help from the American Rescue Plan Act.

A Multi-Pronged Approach

However, don’t think this is a one-stop solution to food deserts. “We recognize that it takes a multi-prong approach. There’s not a one-size-fits-all,” Driggers pointed out. Alongside the mobile market, they are also running the Grocery Assistance Program (GAP), where they have teamed up with Instacart to cover grocery delivery costs—a brilliant touch for the folks who might find it tough to run out to grab their essentials.

But at the end of the day, many residents, like Wellman, still dream of a permanent grocery store in their neighborhood. The struggle is real, especially as we dive into the holiday season. “You go into your pantry when you’re in the middle of making something, and you don’t have what you need. Going far away, especially if the grocery store doesn’t have adequate parking, makes it really challenging to get in and out quickly,” she shared.

Looking Ahead

As we gear up for the holidays, the mobile market will take a little break, but fear not! They’ll be back in action this January 2024. The new contract with Tom’s Creek Farm will run until 2026, ensuring that Columbia stays on the case, bringing fresh produce closer to home and helping turn those food deserts into flourishing neighborhoods.

So, mark your calendars and get ready to shop—fresh produce is just a hop, skip, and jump away!