Shop the Mobile Grocery Store
On January 27, the Huntington Hills Community Association became the latest weekly Fresh Routes mobile grocery store stop in Calgary.
Currently hosted indoors, every Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., neighbours can shop for high-quality produce and eggs up to 20 to 40 per cent off!
The Alberta based non-profit is on a mission to provide communities with more dignified healthy food options. Fresh Routes Operator Dale Swampy says that everyone, regardless of income, is welcome.
“Especially with the high food prices right now, and if you just want to save a little bit of money, or even if you’re struggling with food insecurity, just come out and see us. We have food at a great price.”.
With the help of the H&W Produce and funding from places such as the Alberta Motor Association, shoppers can expect a variety of affordable and consistent choices.
“We typically try and bring all of the same stuff. We have a list of items each week. We have locally grown stuff, microgreens, fruits, and veggies. We always have eggs at a really great price, as well as a large selection of staples like onions, carrots, potatoes, apples, oranges, etc.”
He says working with Fresh Routes has been incredibly gratifying. Everyday he gets to see just how happy people are that the market is available.
“It’s hard to put into words, even experiencing food insecurity myself, just growing up as a child, and still seeing the prices up. They just keep rising as I get older and older. Seeing that, I know it’s a struggle. I know it’s expensive and getting groceries is a cost. I can see people struggling and stressing out just buying food. But everybody needs to eat. Coming out here, being able to help people and give them a hand…that’s the best part.”
In 2022 alone, Fresh Routes was able to provide over 196,000 pounds of produce for approximately 24,000 Albertan households.
The more the market sells the more is given back to the initiative. Since its start, the program has seen outstanding volunteer enthusiasm. Residents can continue support the project by donating funds and using phone applications, like Too Good To Go, to promote better food waste practices.