Tuesday, October 3, 2017
The Go Fresh Mobile Farmers Market is celebrating another successful season. Now in its 7th year, the Go Fresh Mobile Market project has established a new community partnership with the YMCA of Greater Springfield, keeping it in the community, for the community. Chief of Staff Denise Jordan represented Mayor Domenic J. Sarno last week as the Mobile Market set up shop at the YMCA on a beautiful sunny day.
“The YMCA is honored to be part of the success of the Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market!” said Scott M. Berg, President & CEO for the YMCA of Greater Springfield. “Our Y focuses on three areas – youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This program positively affects each of these areas and allows the Y to help serve more people of all ages in the community.”
This project would not be possible without the support of the community and organizations committed to food justice. Go Fresh partners are especially thankful for the $25,000 grant award this year by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for our core operations and educational programming!
“I am very excited about the Go Fresh Mobile Farmers Market,” said CFWM President and CEO Katie Allan Zobel. “It’s an innovative program that meets one of the needs of the city’s residents – which is exactly what we strive to do across the Pioneer Valley. Bringing fresh, affordable produce to neighborhoods and helping local farmers is a win-win for everyone!”
We are also grateful for the ongoing support for this food access project PeoplesBank, Springfield Technical Community College Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, Health New England, Davis Foundation, Baystate Health, and Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan! It takes a village to build a healthy community!
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is glad to celebrate the continued success of the Mobile Market and making the purchasing of fresh, local produce in low income communities across Springfield easier and fun. This project advances the city’s efforts through Mass in Motion and the Live Well Springfield Coalition, to increase access to healthy food and active living options in neighborhoods across the city.
Mayor Sarno said, “Like the song says – ‘taking it to the streets!’ First of all, I’d like to thank all of our generous collaborators for their continued belief and investment in the City of Springfield. Great to have these healthy and nutritious fresh food options made available to those who might not be able to access them.”
This year the Go Fresh Project is excited to be a part of the statewide Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) that matches SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) recipients’ purchases of local fruits and vegetables at participating, farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share programs.
SNAP recipients will receive an instant, dollar-for-dollar match credited to their EBT card on eligible purchases. HIP can only be earned through participating HIP locations and using SNAP/EBT terminals that have been programmed to process the new benefit.
The Go Fresh project is led by an advisory team made up of representatives from the City of Springfield Department of Elder Affairs, Partners for a Healthier Community, Gardening the Community, Common Capital, and Springfield Housing Authority.
The 2017 season of the Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market began in July with 13 stops across Springfield, including another year at Springfield Technical Community College farmer’s market. The full schedule will continue through October 31st and then run one day a week through the middle of December. The Go Fresh Mobile Market is part of the Live Well Springfield movement to support healthy eating and active living.
Our partner farms in the project, providing fresh produce to the project include Gardening the Community in Springfield, Next Barn Over in Hadley, and Mountainview Farm in Easthapton. The Go Fresh Market runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday, and Fridays every week. Stops include Clodo Concecion Community Center (formerly Greenleaf Senior Center), Caring Health Center on Main Street, WIC office on Main Street, Gentile Apartments, Independence House, Linden Towers, East Springfield Library, Baystate Place, YMCA, Mercy Medical Center, Mosque 13, Riverview Apartments, and Springfield Technical Community College.
The project’s leaders are excited to continue to reach so many neighborhoods, expand our partners, and showcase our new vehicle. For the complete schedule visit the Live Well Springfield website at www.livewellspringfield.org
