Local residents purchase vegetables at the Mobile Farmers Market. — Photos by Luda Tang

By Luda Tang

The City of Somerville’s Mobile Farmers Market began this year’s season on July 8. The first market was held at 167 Holland St. from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From now through October 15, Somerville residents can check the market every Friday and Saturday. The website lists more specific information about the market’s various locations.

Later that afternoon, the second session of the market was held at the East Somerville Community School. Staff from the office of Food Access and Healthy communities arrived earlier to set up foods and the table. A standing whiteboard listed the price for each food. Most of the vegetables were placed in a green cart, while some others were placed in a bamboo basket on the table.

Various vegetables are available and at a much lower price compared to the market price. For example, callaloo, kale, and basil costs $1 per bunch, while the onions and green beans cost $1 per pound. Other vegetables, like zucchini, yellow summer squash, and cucumbers, are slightly higher priced at $1.25 per pound. Bok choy is the priciest at $2 per pound. 

This small mobile marketplace has green as its theme color. The staff wear green aprons. The tablecloths are also green, forming a harmonious and environmentally-friendly atmosphere. 

The initiative of such a program is to feed people with different needs, according to Sean O’Brien, the Food Access Coordinator at the City of Somerville. That also explains why the market takes place in four separate locations across the city, which allows people living in different parts of the city to access.

With funding provided to the department, the Office of Food Access and Health communities can allow the market setting affordable prices. In this way, low-income residents can also obtain fresh and self-produced vegetables.

Additionally, the Mobile Farmers Market is able to build a close connection with local farmers. O’Brien says that farms who supply the food are all located within 15 miles from the City of Somerville. Groundwork Somerville is also one of the suppliers of the food.

If the food does not get sold out, the leftovers go to the food pantry at Project SOUP. People can get free food there from Tuesday to Saturday. Project SOUP is a program operated by the Somerville Homeless Coalition. It aims to address food insecurity in Somerville by providing healthy, wholesome groceries and meals. No food will be wasted within this circle.

O’Brien sees the Mobile Farmers Market is a good opportunity to connect with the residents with various cultural backgrounds. Residents can share their recipes and learn various ways to cook a particular food item, like the potato.