Serving Community: Mobile Food Market

Nearly ten years ago, the Mobile Food Market began as a vision, addressing the large gaps to accessible, fresh, and affordable food across Nova Scotia. These gaps, also known as food deserts, are specific regions and communities with limited access to healthy food options, due to income, location, or lack of transportation.

In 2016, the Mobile Food Market first came to fruition as a six-week pilot project. Using a borrowed Metro Transit bus as the market space, customers could board and shop the produce that filled each row. Soon enough, their success and impact became abundantly clear, and in 2019, the Mobile Food Market team made the decision to purchase the food truck that now delivers healthy, affordable options to communities across HRM.

Today, the Mobile Food Market consists of five staff and over 30 volunteers who help run their home market in North Dartmouth every Tuesday, and two mobile markets in Halifax, at Titus Park and North Branch Memorial Library every Saturday. Mandy Chapman, Executive Director, is one of the many hands that make this important service possible.

“Food is essential to everybody and it’s what brings people really together,” Mandy shared. “We create opportunities for community to gather, while providing access to fresh and affordable food.”

The Market’s mission “to provide healthy, just, sustainable food systems through inclusive partnerships” has become increasingly important in recent times as food insecurity “is very real and prevalent in Nova Scotia,” with inflation creating further barriers to healthy eating. When asked about the impact of the Market, Mandy expressed, “People cannot afford to eat. They’re choosing pharmacy or housing over food. They’re choosing other things because there’s not enough money to go around.”

The Mobile Food Market provides high quality food options at a fraction of the standard cost. Mandy expressed that a recent study revealed their prices to be 65-77% lower than buying from the grocery store. For example, the locally-sourced Annapolis Valley apples at the mobile market range from $0.25 - $0.40 apiece, versus an approximate $2.50 for the same apple at a larger retailer.

During the summer months, 80-90% of their produce is locally sourced, and 30% in the winter—providing shoppers with the choice of 30-50 different produce options, eggs, fresh bread, and dried goods, with different options based on the needs of their local clientele. “We listen to the community by asking what they would like to see,” Mandy explained, placing importance on ensuring culturally appropriate options are available. “The mobile market really started about food… [but more so] it’s about building community relationships and supporting each other.”

Mandy’s sense of community and care aren’t new—she has worked in homelessness and housing organizations, as a cook, and in social work. When asked what brought her to the Mobile Food Market, she simply stated, “I wanted a new challenge, I had more to offer.”

Her impact is clear, and emphasized by the communities she supports. The feedback she has received ranges from a sincere “Thank you for being here,” to “I can’t believe I can eat healthy again.” Some have even thanked Mandy for being the reason they can eat, at all.

As a community-based organization, allocating funding and resources is part of the job—which is why Mandy applied to CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program, and was successful. In early 2024, CUA awarded the Mobile Food Market $4,000 to purchase two new display refrigerators for their home base, to keep supplies fresh and safe. The result? Enhanced food safety practices, a more dignified shopping experience, and a reduction in food waste, allowing them to sell or donate any leftover market items.

“We sincerely thank CUA for the support provided through the grant, which has significantly enhanced our operations and improved food safety and access for our community.” When asked for her advice to other organizations considering applying to the grant program, her immediate response was “Go for it!”

“The application process was clear and straightforward, allowing us to effectively communicate our needs,” she described. “CUA is a great proponent and advocate for community work, and if they believe in the idea as much as you do, you’re very likely to be a successful candidate.”

While Mandy and her team have accomplished so much, the demand has not slowed. To help support the Mobile Food Market you can shop with them, contribute to their pay it forward program, or more importantly, volunteer. The Market is always looking for volunteers for different roles, from packing produce, to setting up and operating the cash, or just providing an extra hand. Mandy says they are always looking for someone with a good lemonade or iced tea recipe! Get in touch with Mandy »

You can learn more about the Mobile Food Truck, its programs, impact, and how to get involved on their website.

Applications to CUA’s 2025 Community Investment Grant Program open in January 2025. Learn more.