Arizona nonprofit running vehicle fleet mobile produce market

Activate Food Arizona is a nonprofit that runs Farm Express Mobile Markets. Farm Express is their two vehicle fleet mobile produce market that sells healthy, affordable produce in communities throughout Phoenix and Tempe.

Their “Small Bus” offers a walk-up shopping experience for customers to shop and select items from a menu of fruits and vegetables while their “Big Bus” is a fully renovated city bus, that allows customers to shop our selection of fresh produce and local food options at their own pace.

Elyse Guidas, MPH and Executive Director of Activate Food Arizona joined “Arizona Horizon” to provide more information on this mobile produce market.

“At our core we call ourselves the do-tank, we like to be very action oriented,” Guidas explained. “…working with communities to help them with the food system solutions that they want for their towns, cities, and their neighborhoods.”

When discussing a “food desert” Guidas emphasized how difficult it can be for people to attain groceries without a car in the scorching heat.

“We really try and think of innovative approaches to food access, and recognize that everybody’s coming from different preferences and cultures, and choices with regard to food,” Guidas explained. “…so we try and meet people where they are, and create the opportunities that they want for themselves.”

Activate Food Arizona continues to collaborate and work with other organizations and communities in order to learn and grow from one another.

“…and then also make sure that we are coming with ideas from other communities or working together collaboratively,” Guidas said, “…that we are bringing enough opportunity for people to say, ‘hey this isn’t gonna work for me can we try something else.'”

Activate Food Arizona wants to make sure they are giving opportunities for everyone by selling their high quality food at cost, ensuring everyone is able to get fed.

“We know everybody needs to eat…so if we are saving somebody a trip to the grocery story,” Guidas explained, “…that certainly is a public health benefit…a family benefit.”