A new stop has been added as the Inn of the Good Shepherd's Mobile Market kicks into gear, delivering fresh produce to Sarnia-Lambton residents who need a helping hand.
Inn Executive Director Myles Vanni said the program, which starts on July 4, has been around for over a decade.
"Last year we served 1,000 people every week with fresh, healthy vegetables and produce from the first week of July right through to the end of October for most locations, and [at] a couple of locations we went into November as well," he said.
There are 15 pick-up locations this year, the new stop is at YMCA Jerry McCaw Family Centre on Finch Drive in Sarnia.
Vanni said some of their more popular sites include Sarnia, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Forest, and Petrolia.
"It's set up like a farmers' market where you can select things off the table, just provide a food bank card or proof of living in social housing... seniors and students all have access," he said. "We usually try to have about 10 to 12 fresh items every week on the market table. Things from peppers and potatoes to mushrooms, to broccoli, to lettuce, we keep a whole variety of items."
With help from Pembina Pipelines, the Inn expects to distribute 6,000 pounds of fresh food items each week during the summer and fall months.
Vanni said those living in poverty or struggling to make ends meet, typically have lower levels of health so the Mobile Market provides an important opportunity to eat well.
Healthcare partners will also be at Mobile Market sites, including Lambton Public Health, Canadian Mental Health, North Lambton Community Health Clinic, and Ontario Early Years.
The Inn's After The Bell snack program will also return this year, thanks to support from Noelle’s Gift and Food Banks Canada.
"We recognize, for a lot of families, they rely on [snacks] from student nutrition programs during school but there's that gap in nutrition when the bell rings and there's no more school," he said.
So at Mobile Market sites, families with elementary-aged children can pick up a snack pack containing 21 items, three snacks per day.
The need for support is prevalent in the community as the Inn's food bank is currently serving about 2,000 people per month, an increase from roughly 1,850 people per month prior to the pandemic.
Vanni said many are dealing with "COVID debt" where they were forced to borrow money and now, on top of regular expenses, they're faced with paying off their debt.
"So that's really made it difficult for families and then of course, everybody recognizes going into the grocery store, how much more things are. That food inflation has really pinched people's food budgets, they're squeezed to the point that they can't afford much."
For further details about the mobile market, click here.
