Grand Rapids, MI – The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids has broken new ground with the first ever portable farmers market by way of its new Veggie Mobile bringing locally raised affordable produce to the central city’s YMCA Healthy Living Hub locations.

The Y was awarded a nearly $1.5 million grant from the Kellogg Foundation in part due to its innovative proposal to bringing fresh, locally grown produce by way of a refrigerated Veggie Mobile vehicle.

Julie Sielawa, of the YMCA Greater Grand Rapids, who oversees the YMCA Veggie Mobile project, said, “The YMCA Veggie Mobile is an extremely innovative yet practical idea that will make a solid impact on providing healthier foods to those living in the central city. The Y’s Activate West Michigan outreach program is dedicated to fighting obesity through its four Healthy Living Hubs and now with the Veggie Mobile.”

The Veggie Mobile team will set up the portable farmers market at each one of the Y’s Grand Rapids Healthy Living Hubs. Along with providing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, the Veggie Mobile team will be offering healthy recipes and food tasting.

Detailed overview of Healthy Living Hubs:
Healthy Living Hubs will serve as locations where families come together to enjoy fresh produce, participate in culturally appropriate nutrition education, and have continued access to high-energy physical activity.

• Access to Fresh Produce: Families purchase low cost fresh, locally grown produce weekly at each Hub via our Veggie Mobile. In addition, the Y will work with the local neighborhood convenience stores to overcome barriers to stocking fresh food.
• Nutrition Education: Classes will focus on culturally competent curriculum, label reading, portion size, as well as the USDA’s MyPyramid and MyPlate. Instruction will include family friendly, hands-on cooking demonstrations, taste testing, and recipe sharing. The Y’s Registered Dietician will work with participants to select and prepare traditional dishes using healthier methods.
• Community Gardens: Programs will be implemented at each Hub to actively engage and educate children and their families about where vegetables come from, how they are grown, and how to prepare them.
• Access to Physical Activity: Activities will be family-centered, culturally appropriate, and defined from the community’s preferences. Organized physical activity will take place twice per week at each Hub. Options may include Zumba, soccer, and Double Dutch.
• All program activities will be community led and focus on cultural relevance, relationship building, family strengthening, stress reduction, and building lasting healthy lifestyle behaviors.
• All programming will be evaluated and assessed by independent evaluators to ensure quality and that we are meeting the needs of the program participants.

Veggie Mobile Weekly Schedule and Locations – contact Nicole Hansen 616.855.9673 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Founded in 1886, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is composed of eight branches that serve 183,611 in the greater Grand Rapids community. All programs are structured to develop the YMCA’s Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Inclusion. The vision of the YMCA is to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Visit www.grymca.org.