This summer, get ready for a new sight in Goldsboro: youth-powered rickshaws delivering farmers’ market fruits and vegetables to areas of the community that have limited access to fresh produce. It’s all part of the Produce Ped’lers program, a new CEFS initiative designed to address food access disparities in city neighborhoods.

The program is funded by a USDA Farmers’ Market Promotion Program grant. CEFS teamed up with Dillard Academy Charter School, the Wayne County Health Department, the Wayne Food Initiative, the City of Goldsboro, Plum Tree Marketplace, and several other community partners to launch this creative pilot that will also employ young people and train them on farmers’ market management.

At the Produce Ped'lers launch on May 9!.

At the Produce Ped’lers launch on May 9!.

City Market, one of the program’s participating farmers’ markets, has been approved to receive an EBT machine. That means that customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can use their benefits to purchase fresh produce at the market!

Shorlette Ammons, CEFS’ Community-Based Food Systems Outreach Coordinator says, “We’re so proud to be able to work alongside such diligent and dedicated community partners. This project has the potential to greatly impact this entire community and make definitive moves towards creating a just and fair food system”.

The Program officially launched on May 9, with a celebration at Goldsboro’s Herman Park that was attended by USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon, Former US Congresswoman Eva Clayton, and other special guests.

Look for more information on the Produce Ped’lers program on the CEFS website soon!

From the May 2012 E-Newsletter