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." 

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."

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