SPOKANE, Wash. — Food insecurity is on the rise across the nation, including right here in the Inland Northwest. That’s why organizations like Second Harvest are hosting mobile markets to bring healthy food to anyone who needs it.
According to Feeding America, over 13% of people in Spokane County are food insecure.
Second Harvest said it is helping up to 250 families at the Northeast Community Center at its latest mobile market open to families who registered in advance.
The volunteers and workers at Second Harvest start setting the menu for mobile markets by scouting out food that’s been donated by the farmers it partners with.
The mobile market includes fresh fruit, vegetables and meats provided locally by farmers and organizations like the Washington State Beef Commission.
“It’s the first harvest that makes the Second Harvest possible,” said Drew Meuer, president of Second Harvest. “We’re so thankful for the farmers and ranchers and other people in the ag industry that contribute generously to help make sure that produce is available to people who struggle and might otherwise go without.”
Meuer said the number of people they see at mobile markets is growing even compared to a few years ago. He said mobile markets that were serving around 200 families have now growing to serve over 400 families.
“There can be all kinds of reasons. The persistence of inflation has really driven prices pretty high on grocery bills for a lot of folks and that’s tended to create folks seeking food assistance, many for the first time,” Meuer said.
The mobile market team at Second Harvest makes stops at schools, colleges, elderly care facilities and churches throughout the month.
The organization said the personal connections volunteers make with the people they serve is what makes the mobile markets so fulfilling.
“It’s very exciting just to see the smile light up on people’s faces,” said Hana Bradbury on the mobile market team. “Whether it’s the kids getting excited about watermelon or the parents getting excited to try to figure out how to incorporate this new green vegetable into their kid’s meal that week.”
Second Harvest has nearly a dozen more mobile markets scheduled this month across eastern Washington and northern Idaho. You can find a full list of upcoming mobile markets here.
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