LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new way to shop for groceries is rolling into Lexington neighborhoods. Thursday, the city officially opened its mobile market, an aisle on wheels that brings groceries to people living in food-insecure areas.

What You Need To Know

  • Lexington's Mobile Market is housed in a 60 feet long trailer with a single aisle stocked with produce, milk and other staples 

  • The city purchased the trailer. Kroger stocks the shelves and God's Pantry Food Bank operates the market 

  • It will make 60 stops a month at 26 different areas designated as food deserts 

  • Food is sold at discounted price and the market accepts credit, debit and EBT

City leaders, representatives from Kroger and God’s Pantry Food Bank cut the ribbon Thursday at Ballard Tower in Lexington. It marked the official opening of the Lexington Mobile Market.

“The launch of the Lexington Mobile Market represents a significant step toward enhancing convenience, accessibility, sustainability and — most importantly — equity in the realm of grocery access,” said Tiffany Brown, equity and implementation officer for Lexington.

The market is housed in a 60-foot trailer and includes a single aisle, stocked with fresh produce, milk and other staples. The goal of the market is to improve access to healthier foods in parts of the city not near a grocery store.

“Because of the lack of food access, folks in our community are compromising on food quality and food variety. People are choosing fast-food options because it costs less and it’s closer to where they live,” Brown said.

According to Brown, 13.1% of Kentucky households are considered food insecure.

Lexington’s mobile market will make 60 stops every month at 26 different locations throughout the city and county that are classified as food deserts.

“These are areas where there’s limited access to affordable, nutritious foods in walking distance, very little grocery stores nearby,” said John Rupp, the senior nutrition programs manager at God’s Pantry Food Bank.

The city provided the trailer for the mobile market. Kroger is stocking the shelves while God’s Pantry Food Bank is driving the trailer and targeting where to go.

“We’re targeting more senior living areas to try and bring the food to them and bridge that gap,” Rupp said.

Kroger partnered with Dare to Care Food Bank to open a mobile market in Louisville in 2019. The Lexington one has been two years in the making.

“It has shown to be affective there and we’re just trying to replicate that here,” Rupp said.

Lexington’s Mobile Market accepts credit, debit and EBT. Items in the market are sold at a reduced price.

The mobile market will hit the road Tuesdays through Saturdays. A calendar can found on God Pantry Food Bank’s website.

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