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| Local Matter’s mobile market, the Veggie Van, is coming to Licking County thanks to a collaborative effort between the Licking County Health Department’s Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) program and the Licking County Veggie Van. Local Matters’ Veggie Van is a mobile grocer and food education program on wheels that provides affordable and convenient access to healthy food options. Veggie Van accepts cash, credit, SNAP/EBT, and Produce Perks.According to the 2022 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, using data from 2019:Licking County had a Food Environment Index score of 7.6 on a scale of one (being the worst) to ten (being the best). This score is an index of factors that contribute to a healthy food environment that account for both proximity to healthy foods and income.8% of the Licking County population was identified as having limited access to food (low-income and do not live close to a grocery store).12% of the Licking County population was identified as food insecure (lacking adequate access to food). |
| The Licking County Veggie Van aims to bring convenience to the community and increase access to and affordability of healthy groceries in low-income, low-access communities through a mobile grocer model. “Veggie vans are a way to meet peoples food needs where they are at. Food access is such a complex struggle, and it doesn’t look the same for everybody. Bringing healthy choices to neighborhoods and communities where those options may not exist reduces some of those barriers”, Dei Dill, Licking County Veggie Van. |
| Visit a Veggie Van Pop-Up at a location near you during one of the following dates this Summer! *Please bring your own bags to carry your goodies conveniently· June 17th – Oak Hill Manor (1 Cross St, Utica, OH 43080), 4-6pm· June 24th – Legacy Park (2286 W High St NE, Newark, OH 43055), 4-6pm· July 15th – Licking County Family YMCA Newark (470 W Church St, Newark, OH 43055), 4-6pm· July 22nd – West Licking County Family YMCA (355 W Broad St, Pataskala, OH 43062), 4-6pm |
| We want to hear from you! Please take 3 to 5 minutes and click the link below to complete a survey. This survey will be used to gauge the public’s interest and help support a mobile grocer in Licking County in the future to improve access to healthy foods. Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BY6CZXGTo learn more about the Veggie Van, please follow their Facebook Page! |
