Columbia Launches Mobile Markets to Combat Food Deserts and Improve Community Access to Fresh Produce

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Step Towards Ending Food Deserts!

Exciting news is brewing in the heart of Columbia! To tackle the ever-growing issue of food insecurity, the City of Columbia is rolling out its innovative plan to introduce “mobile markets” directly to neighborhoods that are lacking grocery stores. This brilliant initiative, approved by the City Council just this Tuesday, comes with a substantial contract worth $143,000 with Tom’s Creek Family Farms, allowing the program to stretch into next year!

What’s the Big Idea?

Launched back in March, this initiative is all about reaching out to neighborhoods that are classified as food deserts. These areas are basically communities where residents struggle to find grocery stores within walking distance — a real challenge for those who depend on walking or public transportation to get their meals.

Denise Wellman, the president of the Cottontown Neighborhood Association, sheds light on the dire situation in some areas. “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,” she explains, emphasizing that while places like the Vista and Five Points do have great grocery options, they can be hard to get to for those without wheels.

Where Are The Food Deserts?

According to a 2020 report from the Food Equity Subcommittee, many low-income neighborhoods have grocery stores that are more than half a mile away. For those residents who lack personal transportation, this distance can be a real barrier to accessing healthy, fresh food. But fear not! The mobile markets are here to help!

Bringing the Market to the People!

Ayesha Driggers, the director of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities, shines a light on the crucial mission of these mobile markets. “We’re bringing the market to the community. One of the big issues with food insecurities is lack of transportation. So it was important to the city to bring those markets to the community where our citizens exist,” she states enthusiastically.

Since the program kicked off, it has set up shop at three different locations and is helping about 25 customers daily, generating an impressive average of $620 in daily sales. And guess what? They’ve just added a new stop at the COMET Central bus station on Sumter Street, making it even easier for residents to access fresh produce!

A Multi-faceted Approach

City officials are crystal clear – these mobile markets are not the be-all and end-all of solving Columbia’s food desert issues. “I think we recognize that it takes a multi-prong approach. There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Driggers. Along with the mobile markets, they also offer a Grocery Assistance Program in partnership with Instacart, making grocery delivery services more accessible for residents in need.

What Residents Are Saying

It’s heartwarming to hear from residents like Wellman, who really appreciate the fresh produce coming into the neighborhoods, but she still has hope for more permanent solutions. “We’re going into the holiday season, and boy, you go into your pantry when you’re in the middle of making something and companies coming and you don’t have what you need,” she says, highlighting the struggle many face when there isn’t a grocery store nearby.

Looking Ahead

So, what’s next? The new contract with Tom’s Creek Farms is set to kick off in January and will carry on until 2026. While the mobile market will be closed for the holiday season, they’ll be back to serve the community starting in January, ready to meet all the fresh produce needs of Columbia! Here’s the upcoming weekly schedule to look out for.

In the effort to beat food insecurity, Columbia’s mobile markets truly aim to fill the gap, making healthy food accessible to all. Here’s hoping for many more positive changes in the future!