KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s something Deborah Olive marks on her calendar each Wednesday — Truman Medical Center’s Healthy Harvest mobile market.
“I decided that since I'm trying to lose weight, let me try and get as many fresh fruits and vegetables as I can,” Olive said.
The market sells fresh produce — making stops in Kansas City throughout the week.
"It's local, it's good food and, like I said, it's affordable as well,” customer, Victor Cole said. “It shows people that there are programs and agenda out there that support the community.”
“We're not just a grocery store on wheels, we're also a classroom on wheels,” Healthy Harvest Mobile Market manager, Janet Rhone said.
They teach about chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and how produce can be a preventative medication.
“Before an individual goes to the hospital to be treated, we are taking the approach of preventative health measures,” Healthy Harvest Mobile Market Coordinator, Justin Moss said. “So taking these fruits and vegetable into these areas with high prevalence of chronic disease.”
That’s why earlier this year, Olive says she wanted to change her mentality on what she was eating.
“For the simple fact that I wanted to reduce my chances of gaining more weight and actually chronic diseases such as high blood pressure,” Olive said.
She’s since lost 25 pounds.
“It's always an awesome feeling when you feel as is if not just giving back, but you're actually providing a needed service,” Rhone said.
The mobile market is going on its seventh year and is now branching out to children and schools, hoping to instill healthy eating habits at a young age.
Check out TMC’S mobile market route here.
