Westmoreland food bank brings 'Mobile Market' to Slickville with free, fresh produce

Thanks to federal American Rescue Plan funding, the Westmoreland County Food Bank is awaiting the delivery of a new produce truck.

But they’re not waiting to start Mobile Market events that the truck will help foster.

“We decided we didn’t want to wait to get this going, so we’re putting the produce in a sprinter van and going out to set it up in what will be sort of a farmers-market style,” food bank program coordinator Lea-Ann White said.

St. Sylvester Parish in Slickville will host a Mobile Market from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2.

White said the food bank started the program in late fall.

“We’re going to set them up at ‘food deserts,’ low-access areas where we can provide people with some fresh fruits and veggies,” she said.

Beverly Resnick, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Slickville conference, said St. Sylvester has helped sponsor the food bank’s Grab & Go Fresh Express program for many years.

“When Lea-Ann contacted me about this new mobile market, I was really excited,” Resnick said.

Rather than receive a pre-packed box, visitors to the Mobile Market can do some open-air shopping and choose what they want.

And because all of the food for the program comes via donations, there are no strings attached.

“That’s one of the things that makes this program wonderful, is all the produce is donated and so we don’t have to go through any paperwork or determine income limits,” White said. “People can come out and choose what items they want. It looks and feels like you’re at a regular farmers market.”

Currently, Mobile Market events have taken place in Slickville and Vandergrift. Each event is sponsored by a local host, and until the produce truck arrives, White said they are leaving publicity to the hosts.

“Once we have the truck up and running, we’ll put a formal schedule together on our website,” White said.

The Slickville Mobile Market will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Sylvester, 3028 Route 819 in Slickville.

No proof of residency, proof of income or personal ID is necessary.