NCFST Mobile Market

 

2nd & 4th Thursday of the month
Note the new schedule - 3-4:30 pm (Rain or Shine)
350 E. Holding Ave. 

The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a pay-what-you-can mobile grocery store on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 3-4:30 p.m. (rain or shine). The mobile market is located along South Brooks Street across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave.

The mobile market offers fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale.

 

How it Works

Ripe for Revival utilizes its network of farmer and food industry relationships to narrow the gap between farm excess and food access.

The organization partners with local farmers to bring their extra produce to communities that need access to fresh fruits and vegetables. 

The company purchases “retired” city or school buses, renovates them to include refrigerators and freezers, and transforms them into Mobile Markets that can drive into communities impacted by food insecurity. 

 

Pay What You Can

Open to everyone, the pay-what-you-can Mobile Market aims to make fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all, regardless of their budget.

The Mobile Market posts ‘suggested’ prices on all items on the bus. Once the shopper has gathered the food they want, they will ring up at the register and receive a ‘suggested price.’ If the shopper can afford to pay the full amount they may, if they cannot, they can choose to ‘pay what they can.’

When shopping, there are some limits on the amount of protein, dairy and eggs a consumer can purchase, but no limits on produce.

At checkout, shoppers will be given a suggested total. Shoppers can then pay the full amount, a portion of that amount, or nothing at all.

Both cash and card payments are accepted.

 

Pricing

Suggested prices for the food featured on the Mobile Markets are subsidized by donations and community partners, and average about 25 percent less than retail grocery store retail prices.

 

Donations Accepted

 Donate Now

 

CBS 17's "My Carolina" features NCFST Mobile Market

On May 6, 2025, Wake Forest Community Outreach Manager Andrew Brown, Jr. and Ripe for Revival's Jonathan Tyndall appeared on CBS 17's My Carolina to discuss their partnership and efforts to combat food insecurity in northern Wake County.

Watch the Interview

 

FAQs

Everyone! The mobile market has fresh local NC produce.

NCFST Mobile Market
Community Outreach Manager
919-435-9466
Location

South Brooks Street - across from 350 E. Holding Ave.
Wake Forest, NC

Schedule

2nd & 4th Thursday/month
3-4:30 p.m.

Donations Accepted

Help support the mobile market with a contribution
Donate Now

Become a Vendor

Approved organizations interested in sharing information and/or materials with the community.  
Mobile Market'ING' Application