HERRIN, Ill. — The nonprofit organization Food Works launched mobile farmers markets on June 6 to provide fresh, local food to underserved areas in southern Illinois. Offerings include vegetables, fruits, breads, baked goods, and grass-fed meats.
Each Thursday from June through October, mobile markets operate from 3 to 5 pm at Carterville Fresh Farm and from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Marion Carnegie Library. The organization also added two mobile markets every Friday during these months — from 10 a.m. to noon at the Herrin House of Hope and from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Boyton Street Community Center in Marion.
According to Food Works, the 16-foot box trucks used for the mobile markets are “equipped with a refrigeration system to transport and store food at proper temperatures, as well as a sink for washing hands, storage for dry goods and lighting.” The trucks’ sides open to create a display for customers.
Food Works Mobile Markets collaborates with the Food Hub of the Little Egypt Farmers Alliance (LEAF), a cooperative of over 25 farms and producers in southern Illinois and the surrounding area to ensure that goods are locally sourced.
Tamara Pirmann, one of the founding members of the LEAF Food Hub, stated the cooperative is “continually” seeking new ways to distribute local goods to the community. For Pirmann, this involved partnering with Food Works, which funds and organizes the mobile markets. She explained that LEAF Food Hub provides “most” of the produce.
“LEAF Food Hub’s mission is to bring sustainably produced food to the community and support small farms,” Pirmann said. “The beauty of this is that they’re focusing on getting healthy, local food to those who lack access to it.”
Pirmann described the mobile markets as a “significant source” of income for farms that also connects them more closely with the community. She said they foster a relationship between farmers and consumers.
Additionally, Pirmann mentioned that mobile markets promote health benefits, offering an alternative to the “junk” food options like fast food.
“It offers a healthier choice for everyone,” Pirmann said. “This is just an extension to all the farmers markets in the area.”
Ellen Elsing stands behind the checkout table of the Herrin House of Hope mobile farmers market in Herrin, Illinois, on June 14, 2024.
Will Spencer
Ellen Elsing, a farmers market manager for Food Works, said the mobile markets have been “well received.” She noted people are particularly “enthusiastic” about the EBT bond matching program and the benefits that make farmers market goods affordable for different income levels.
Elsing agreed with Pirmann that mobile farmers markets offer opportunities for a healthier lifestyle with access to fresh, locally sourced items.
“I find that many small farmers are very deliberate about how they’re growing their food,” Elsing said.
Andrew Connors shops at the Herrin House of Hope Mobile Farmers Market in Herrin, Illinois, on June 14, 2024.
Will Spencer
Andrew Connors, a shopper at the Herrin location, said he was attracted to the mobile farmers market for produce over grocery stores like Walmart or Kroger.
“I think there’s something special about getting your products from where you live,” Connors said. “There is really good produce here that people bring out to get things local and fresh.”