Halifax's Mobile Food Market strives to make groceries more affordable and accessible

Halifax's Mobile Food Market is launching its first outdoor market of the year on Saturday, with hopes of bringing more accessible and affordable groceries and produce to communities in the Halifax region. 

The pop-up market will be at the Titus Smith Memorial Park in Fairview in the morning, and then in the afternoon will head to the North Memorial Public Library in Halifax's north end. The outdoor markets will be at these locations every second Saturday throughout the summer.

Along with the mobile market, the organization also provides produce in bulk to shelters, school food programs, senior centres, daycares and other groups throughout the region.

Executive director Mandy Chapman said the organization seeks to target communities with lower social determinants of health. For instance, those with higher rates of poverty and unemployment.

"Access to healthy food improves nutrition and overall well-being," said Chapman. "It promotes social equity and justice." 

Chapman said thanks to a partnership with the Atlantic Superstore, the market can offer fresh produce around 20 to 22 per cent cheaper than the average grocery store.

Crystal John, one of the group's volunteers, grew up in the north end and refers to it as a "food desert." She said many people in the community have to take two buses just to get to the nearest grocery store. While this might not be an issue for some, it's not ideal for seniors or people with mobility issues and makes obtaining healthy food a challenge. 

On top of being a volunteer at the market, John is also a loyal customer. 

The market "means that I can have fruit and vegetables every single day without having to cut something else out," said John. "It makes a big difference in my health, my wellness and options." 

Supporting local 

For the past few years, Chapman estimates around 30 per cent of the market's supplies have been grown in Nova Scotia. 

She said that while it can be difficult to get local produce during the winter months, she hopes to increase that to 80 per cent between June and October this year.

"It engages and empowers communities when they have access to their own food that they're growing or that they can purchase locally," said Chapman.

"It makes us really a more sustainable Nova Scotia to support our farmers, to teach people where our food comes from, to eat healthy and it contributes to vibrant communities."

'No longer just low income'

With the significant rise in grocery prices lately, Chapman and John have both seen an increase in demand at the market. 

"It's no longer just low income. It's people who have middle incomes because the prices of food are so high," said Chapman.

Because there is a limited amount of products, the market sells out nearly every time. Chapman said people are even starting to line up before it opens with a "sense of panic" that the affordable food might run out.

"People are really trying to survive and feed their families, and make their food dollar stretch. We're hoping to do that. We don't want people to feel that panic," she said. "We want them to come to our markets and it's a beautiful experience for them."

More than a market 

Aside from just shopping, the mobile market strives to create a social experience. John said they always have arts and crafts for the kids while they wait as their parents shop.

To kick off the outdoor market season this Saturday, there will be face painting, music, seedling sales and food education. 

Volunteers, staff and customers also try to support one another any way they can.

"With the mobile market, I feel like we've created this family community where we look out for one another and take care of one another," she said.

"Somebody says, 'I need this this week,' and I'll say, 'Oh, I can just pick that up for you,' if they can't make the market. So it's really created this wonderful way of communicating."