NCFST Mobile Market
2nd Thursday of the month | 3-5 pm | 350 E. Holding Ave.
The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a monthly mobile grocery store on the second Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave.
Offering fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale, the NCFST Mobile Market made its debut Thursday, Sept. 14.
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
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.
Both cash and card payments are accepted.
Pricing
According to Kornegay, 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.
FAQs
Who can shop at the Mobile Market?
Everyone!
Where does the food come from?
All food is sourced locally from North Carolina.
How much does it cost?
You pay-what-you-can.
After getting your groceries, proceed to the cashier who will provide the suggested total.
At that point, you can 1) pay the full amount; 2) pay what you can; 3) pay over – pay it forward; or 4) pay nothing.
How often will the mobile market come to Wake Forest?
The mobile market will be parked across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., on the second Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. through June 2024.
What’s the catch?
There is no catch. We are offering our community an opportunity to purchase fresh local produce at a discounted price - or even for free.
What does “Pay-What-You-Can” really mean?
You choose: 1) pay the full amount; 2) pay what you can; 3) pay over – pay it forward; or 4) pay nothing.
The concept is designed to balance all four payment types.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash or credit/debit card – no checks.