Food truck brings farm-fresh fare to Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie Plenty Fresh Market tackles food deserts in city
For people unable to easily access food, there is only one solution — bring the food to them.
The Poughkeepsie Plenty Fresh Market is a farmers' market on wheels, a food truck selling local fruits, vegetables and other groceries throughout the City of Poughkeepsie. Launched Thursday, the truck is the result of a collaboration with Dutchess Outreach and the community.
For many of its residents, the City of Poughkeepsie can be classified as a food desert, an area where access to food is restricted. About one in four people have difficulty accessing healthy food, according to the Dutchess County Department of Health.
To help fight back against hunger and provide city residents with regular access to local foods, the Poughkeepsie Plenty Fresh Market will travel to four locations every week. From strawberries and leafy greens to sauce and dairy, the food truck provides healthful options at a fraction of grocery store prices.
Brian Riddell, executive director of Dutchess Outreach, aims to help people without access to healthy food while attracting farmers' market regulars.
"There is a growing and burgeoning need to face the food security issues in this country," Riddell said.
Korey Findley, mobile market manager for the truck, described the products as "better than organic." By purchasing local produce directly from the farmers, Findley said the food truck can offer the best possible prices.
"You can get food for $1 that would be $4 at the grocery store," he said.
The Fresh Market accepts cash, Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks, WIC or SNAP benefits.
Fresh Market also offers specialty products like jams and sauces for farmers' market regulars looking for more than produce.
"This is a market for everybody," Riddell said.
By purchasing farm-fresh fare, customers are guaranteed food at peak nutritional value, said Theresa Zangerle-McArtin, registered dietitian at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
"The more vegetables sit out, the more nutrients they lose," she said.
Collaboration within the community was key in bringing the project together, said Susan Grove, leader of the Poughkeepsie Plenty research team.
"It's about affirming the idea that people can come together and make change," Grove said.
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said that addressing food security issues is a major aspect in the revitalization of the City of Poughkeepsie.
"I'm lucky to live in an area where I can walk a block to any of these food markets and farmers' markets," Molinaro said.
Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: @PoJoGeoffWilson
POUGHKEEPSIE PLENTY FRESH MARKET
The food truck will visit the following locations starting June 16.
- Tuesday: Poughkeepsie Housing Authority, 4 Howard St, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Thursday: Interfaith Towers, 66 Washington St, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday: Family Partnership Center, 29 N. Hamilton St, noon to 4 p.m.
- Saturday: Hudson River Housing 313 Mill St, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PARTICIPATING FARMS
- Fishkill Farms
- Hepworth Farms
- Winterton Farms
- Liberty View Farm
- Late Bloomer Farm
- Hugeunot St. Farm
- Brookside Farm
- Ronnybrook Farm
- Bread Alone
- Right from the Hive
- Wild Hive Farm
- ImmuneSchein
- Sprout Creek Farm
- Acorn Hill Farm
- Poughkeepsie Farm Project
- Bruderhof Community