SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A 2017 survey shows that one out of three people living in Shawano County does not have access to healthy food.
Residents say a local non-profit’s making it a little easier.
It’s usually a twenty-minute drive for Bowler residents to do their grocery shopping.
“I only go twice a month,” said Bowler resident Lois Reimes.
“You have to go all the way to Shawano or bigger cities to get to grocery stores,” said another resident Laura Moede
Thanks to the Fresh Project, the grocery store is driving to them.
“I got the lettuce and the onions and zucchini because I make homemade zucchini bread,” said Reimes.
Using a mobile market they bring fresh produce to areas that would otherwise have a hard time getting it. The Fresh Project will stop in Shawano County communities that are 10 miles or farther from a grocery store all summer.
FOX 11 asked Fresh Project executive Director Barbara Mendoza “What do you hear from some of these people who visit the mobile market?”
“It’s about time.”
Mendoza tells FOX 11 most places they visit are full of seniors and low-income families.
“The local mobile produce that we serve, a lot of them wouldn’t have access to that. They eat canned food. They eat processed food.”
Her goal is to make healthy food accessible and affordable.
The Fresh Project prices are half of what they pay from local growers.
“We never know what we’re going to have from week to week,” said Mendoza.
People leave with a bag full of fruits and vegetables for just a few dollars.
“It’s awesome. I think it’s wonderful that they’re selling out,” said Moede.
The Fresh Project” is funded by Community Foundation for the Fox Valley and donations.
You can check here to see if the mobile market comes to you.
