ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Living in a food desert means daily challenges like walking long distances just to get fresh produce and groceries. That’s what Brittany Glover deals with constantly in Parramore.
“Sometimes it’s a challenge, sometimes it’s not. It just depends on the flow of what I’m doing,” she said.
It was no challenge on Thursday when United Against Poverty’s mobile market came to the John H. Jackson Neighborhood Center.
“Parramore is a food desert, so it’s important to meet people where they are,” said Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose.
The mobile market offers low-income families free groceries.
“It’s very important because a lot of people are on a budget, especially with how the economy is right now,” Smith responded.
The program is funded by a $400,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation, which helped UAP purchase a refrigerated truck in May.
“This is a new addition specifically designed to go outbound into food desert territories,” said Anjali Vaya, Executive Director of UAP.
The organization initially served only Parramore, but now they’re expanding to Eatonville — with plans to reach other areas like Pine Hills, which lost its main grocery store in 2019.
“We’re seeing a 30% increase in demand on-site. The timing couldn’t be more perfect — from the delivery of this truck to the expansion of our services,” Vaya added.
Due to federal cuts, Vaya said they’ll need more funding and donations to keep food on the shelves. She also notes that recent legislative changes to SNAP benefits are impacting many of the families they serve.
Vaya said they also plan on expanding their services to Bithlo and Apopka.
Schedule for next food markets are below: