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Indy to offer mobile market in areas of Indianapolis struggling with food deserts

Posted at 6:05 PM, Sep 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-05 22:35:28-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- The closing of another Indianapolis grocery store has created an even greater problem on the city’s northeast side, but city leaders are working on a program to improve food access and fight food insecurity.

Many people living in the Devington neighborhood don’t have transportation, and they’re limited in the places they have to purchase food.

After the Kroger near 46th Street and Arlington Avenue closed last week, it made that issue an even bigger one. Their only options now are the dollar stores and gas stations within walking distance of their homes.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett hopes the city’s new mobile market will help alleviate some of their insecurities and bring fresh, affordable food to those who need it most.

The mobile market is part of the city’s efforts to create programs that improve food access in areas where there are no full-service grocery stores that serve nutritious food within walking distance.

The project is a partnership between the city’s Office of Public Health and Safety, the Indiana Black Farmer’s Co-Op and City-Councillor Stephen Clay.

The market will be held in the parking lot of Zion Hope Church and will offer fresh produce and organic household items.

Vendors will accept SNAP and WIC to make sure that everyone can take advantage of the market.

Mayor Hogsett says the market is just one of several ways the city hopes to deal with the issue of food deserts in areas of Indianapolis that are struggling.

“Because in a society as rich as ours, access to nutritious food must not be a luxury,” said Hogsett. This is a matter of morality.”

The first mobile market will be Sunday, September 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Zion Hope Church. The city hopes to be able to open the market once or twice each month moving forward.

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