Sonja Reis | MRCDC

Another portion of the Healthy Sto-Rox initiative is a weekly mobile farmer’s market offering fresh, affordable produce options for the general public. As part of this program, the Green Grocer truck pulled into the Sto-Rox community Oct. 18 and will visit each Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m.

The year-round pop-up market being held outside 5 GB’s Fresh Foods on Chartiers Avenue is one of seven weekly stops throughout Allegheny County for the Green Grocer truck which offers fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and whole grain items. During the growing season, much of the produce is locally sourced and available to consumers at cost.

“It’s solving the food desert issue, those areas where you can’t walk to get fresh foods,” says Dan Lubinsky, an AmeriCorps Vista member, working with Green Grocer.

A project of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Green Grocer is helping alleviate food inequality by creating access to those in neighborhoods that do not have availability of fresh, healthy, affordable foods.

Dozens of local residents gathered for the kick-off event which included offerings from Just Harvest, Live Well Allegheny, Women Infants and Children (WIC) and Community Kitchen Pittsburgh (CKPgh).

A mission-based food service company providing culinary workforce training and placement supports for adults with barriers to employment, CKPgh provided cooking demonstrations and samples during the grand opening event. The group also serves as a vendor for the fresh foods market stocking several varieties of sandwiches.

McKees Rocks resident Michele Mlynarksi was one of the first to line up to buy fresh produce. She and her daughter Rebecca Thompson say they were excited by the arrival of the Green Grocer truck and the more than 25 varieties of fruits and vegetables available for purchase.

“Access to fresh healthy foods is critical for healthy living,” says Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the Allegheny County Health Department in a release. “We are proud to support innovative efforts like the Green Grocer and Fresh Corners programs to decrease the food deserts,” she says.

Fresh Corners is another initiative recently launched to the area by McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation partner Just Harvest. This provides access to a basic selection of fresh produce items with longer shelf lives such as potatoes, tomatoes and onions.

These Fresh Corners mini-marts can be found inside the following area stores:

• In and Out Corner Store, corner of Helen and Ella streets, Bottoms.
• Rocks Express convenience store, corner of Frederick and Churchill streets, McKees Rocks.
• 5 GB’s Fresh Foods, 1100 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks.