Community mobile market expands to Grafton

Photo courtesy of the Community Health Centres of Northumberland Facebook.

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.

A new community food market is expanding to rural Northumberland. The Community Health Centres of Northumberland are expanding their market to Grafton beginning Jan. 27. The market will be offering local farm grown produce, meats,  and prepared foods at a discounted price. Fresh soups are prepared weekly for sale and meat pies are available for purchase.

“As we know that the Grafton and Colborne area is one of the areas in Northumberland that has limited food access,” said Adam Hudson, Community Dietician with the Community Health Centres of Northumberland. “We are aiming to build a community around the accessibility of food.”

The community market differs from food banks, as this is not an emergency food need situation or a handout, rather Hudson explains it's an opportunity for people to buy affordable nutritious foods. He said the market is offering single items, such as a carrot, a quarter cabbage, or a meat pie. This is to allow those on a fixed or low income to purchase what they need and remain within their budget.

“People do need a break still, as food costs continue to rise. There are a lot of people out there, for their own reasons, who do not want a handout. They do not want the unfortunate stigma of using a food bank. But, they are more than happy to pay for something at a cost that we are asking for, which keeps their pride, and dignity and allows them to shop,” said Hudson.

Getting local farmers on board with the initiative was a little tricky, as Hudson explained the pitch was to buy their products at their price, but then sell it at a reduced rate. While farmers were skeptical, the Community Health Centres of Northumberland would also promote participating farmers at their events to demonstrate how they are supporting the local agriculture industry, while providing fresh, grown, and raised goods locally. This time of year, the market will most likely have root vegetables for greenhouse produce, while the meats will differ week to week, but the amount to purchase will be capped to ensure that all shoppers have the opportunity to buy goods.

The Community Mobile Market will be open at the St. Andrews Church in Grafton Tuesday Jan 27, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.