Cornell Cooperative Extension Veggie Van helping those in need. Here's how.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension team says the 2024 rollout of the Veggie Van program has proven to be a “remarkable success,” as it brings fresh, locally-grown produce to those in need.

In just the first month, the Veggie Van has facilitated access to fresh food for over 300 individuals who were otherwise unable to travel to a farmers' market, Cornell said. This number is expected to grow as the program continues to expand its reach.

What is the Veggie Van?

The Veggie Van is designed as a food access intervention, functioning as a mobile market that brings fresh, locally grown produce to areas with limited access to farmers' markets.

With a focus on underserved neighborhoods, the Veggie Van program makes regularly scheduled stops to ensure consistency and reliability.

This approach is part of a broader effort to create healthier, more sustainable communities.

Key to the Veggie Van's success is its commitment to reducing barriers to accessing fresh produce.

The mobile market accepts various forms of payment, including:

• SNAP/EBT (formerly known as Food Stamps)
• Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks for seniors and WIC participants
• Fresh Connect Checks (FCC) for Veterans, Servicemembers, and their immediate family members
• Cash and credit/debit cards

This inclusive payment system ensures that fresh, nutritious food is accessible to everyone in the community.

"The positive shift we are seeing toward a healthier and more sustainable community is inspiring," said Cameron Burke, a member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension team, in a statement.

"The Veggie Van program is a key strategy in making fresh, nutritious food more accessible to everyone, and we are grateful for the community's support in helping the Veggie Van grow into a successful model for boosting food access in Herkimer County."

The Veggie Van program is powered by UpMobility, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Herkimer HealthNet, and the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. For more information about the Veggie Van program or to view the schedule of stops, visit blogs.cornell.edu/cceherkimer/ or contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County at herkimer@cornell.edu.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Cornell Cooperative Extension Veggie Van helping those in need. Here's how.