WORCESTER, Mass. – People in Worcester enjoyed the fifth installment of the Out to Lunch festival on Thursday, when the focus was on fresh produce during National Farmers Market Week.

Tracy Andryc, development director for the Regional Environmental Council, said for many families, access to healthy fruits and veggies becomes a question of price and proximity.

Either it’s too difficult to afford grocery store prices, or they live too far away to make routine trips to the grocery store. Farmers markets and local organizations like the REC are trying to bridge that gap, and see themselves as the backbone of communities.

“Farmers markets aren't just a beautiful, vibrant place to go get your fruits and veggies, but they're really a cornerstone to a community’s economics and social life, too,” Andryc said.

The REC runs two farmers markets in Worcester while also bringing healthy food on the road with its Mobile Market, which parks right outside senior centers and apartment buildings across the city, making it easy for people like Wayne Cardwell to get what he needs.

“I just discovered them because I’m going to a brain injury program right next door. So I’ve been coming over the last few weeks, and I like the fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, that’s very important to me,” Cardwell said. “I had to do some online ordering for food the other night, and it cost me triple what I paid today, and I can’t afford to buy produce like that. Having an entire market like this is so affordable for me, and I need that because I’m on a fixed income.”

Many farmers markets like the REC also accept SNAP benefits, and under Massachusetts’ Healthy Incentives Program, they can help people extend those dollars by giving some money back for making healthy choices.

Nicole Melissa Morin, a social worker, said she’s noticed more people are starting to catch on.

“There is so much food insecurity across Worcester, and just by having the amount of fresh vegetables, the people that I serve get to have fresh, healthy food more often,” Morin said. “And there’s been more people coming in, teaching about it. There's all these family events and all sorts of stuff they're doing. So now, the people that I get to serve have better access to food in their communities.”

The REC’s Beaver Brook Farmers Market is open 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Fridays, while the University Park Farmers Market is open 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

For a full schedule of the REC’s Mobile Market stops, visit the organization’s website.