Clinch Memorial Hospital launches Mobile Food Market in Clinch County
Clinch Memorial Hospital launches Mobile Food Market in Clinch County
HOMERVILLE, GA., March 17, 2023 − Each year, millions of people in the United States suffer from food insecurity. According to Feeding America, in 2019 Clinch County had the highest rate, 21.4%, of food insecurity in Georgia. To help alleviate food insecurity in the neighborhoods of Clinch County, Clinch Memorial Hospital has launched a Mobile Food Market (MFM), a refrigerator van that brings fresh produce to a host of sites throughout Clinch County. As part of their vision to promote wellness within the community, Clinch Memorial envisions the MFM program will connect Clinch County to healthy food at accessible locations.
On Friday, March 17th, Clinch Memorial’s Mobile Food Market kicked off at both St. Paul’s Church/Ms. Bertha’s Soup Kitchen and the Fargo Charter School. Over 100 people attended these markets, including over 75 senior citizens. Twice a month, senior citizens benefit from a $10 discount for produce on the Mobile Food Market.
“Our team had an amazing time while working at the MFM last week. We received a lot of great feedback from the community. The citizens of Fargo were excited and appreciated having the opportunity to buy fresh produce in their small town. Throughout the day, shoppers excitedly shared the recipes they planned to use while cooking the produce,” said Angela Ammons. “Our vision is to promote wellness throughout Clinch County. This initiative is allowing us to do just that by bringing healthy, nutritional food into our community.”
This MFM was made possible through public funds (Healthy Food Financing Initiative Grant), and with the services of Retaaza who sources the fresh produce and provides the MFM vehicle. Retaaza is a social enterprise that strives to make local food more accessible and affordable.
The MFM plans to have weekly markets every Friday at two locations in Clinch County: Ms. Bertha’s Soup Kitchen/St. Paul’s Church (600 Reddick Street, Homerville, GA 31634) from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m., then at the Fargo Charter School (HWY 441, Fargo, GA 31631) from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.
Clinch Memorial Hospital is currently seeking to acquire more marketplace sites, and is open to all community feedback and suggestions regarding potential marketplace sites in the Clinch County community. Suggestions can be sent to Lily James, Public Relations Director, at: ljames@clinchmh.org.
