‘SCHOOL BUS’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

There are some truly innovative projects going on in the food world to expand access to healthy and local produce. One right in DC is Arcadia’s Mobile Market Project, an initiative to turn a school bus into a traveling farmer’s market that will run on biofuel (a.k.a. old cooking oil) and stop in “food deserts” across the city.

The first fundraiser event for the project is this Thursday, March 31 from 5 to 8 PM at Lounge 2o1 near Union Station. The happy hour will have cocktails with local spirits, as well as some tiny bites made with local, sustainable beef from White House Meats. You’ll be able to make a secure pledge to the Mobile Market Project right on the spot and Lounge 201 will donate a portion of the night’s proceeds to the project.

The project is trying to raise $15,000 by Earth Day on April 22nd. Unfortunately, if the project doesn’t meet its goal it will be stalled and you won’t be charged for your donation. When the Mobile Market launches, it will make regular stops in Wards 5, 7 and 8 and sell fresh, affordable produce. To increase accessibility, the market will accept many forms of payment, including SNAP, WIC and FMNP vouchers. Additionally, the bus will make special visits to different schools and community centers to bring chefs, farmers and other community leaders in to talk about making healthy food choices.

So far the project has raised more than $7,000 and has 23 days to go. If you can’t make it to the happy hour at Lounge 201, you can make an online pledge here.