Mobile Market will bring fresh food choices to Milwaukee’s ‘food deserts’
MILWAUKEE, 2015-11-6 — /EPR Retail News/ — Hunger Task Force and Pick ’n Save are proud to announce the opening of the Pick ’n Save Fresh Picks Mobile Market, in partnership with Milwaukee County. This grocery store on wheels will travel throughout Milwaukee County to visit neighborhoods and communities that have limited access to fresh foods.
“Hunger is not only a problem of poverty; it is a problem of access to food. We want to be a part of the solution,” said Jess Terry, group vice president, chief human resources officer at Roundy’s Supermarkets and board member at Hunger Task Force. “The Mobile Market concentrates on FoodShare clients, providing them with access to fresh foods that they otherwise might not have.”
Along with other staples, the Fresh Picks Mobile Market will offer 40-plus seasonal fruits and vegetables and more than ten in demand meat and dairy items.
“Our goal is to improve access to healthy and affordable foods in neighborhoods that don’t have grocery stores. Market pricing will be the same as store pricing, making the foods both fresh and affordable,” said John Boyle, group vice president, retail operations at Roundy’s Supermarkets.
Hunger Task Force partnered with Wisconsin-based Pick ’n Save to create the mobile store after seeing the need for fresh foods in parts of Milwaukee where there is little access to healthy choices. “People living in neighborhoods distant from stores spend more on food at corner stores than those who are able to drive to the grocery store. They also receive lower quality fresh foods and have fewer choices,” said Sherrie Tussler, executive director of Hunger Task Force.
The Pick ’n Save Fresh Picks Mobile Market will travel to customers living in “food deserts” – neighborhoods where there are no traditional grocery stores. “We were especially concerned for very low income seniors and people with disabilities who live in public housing distant from stores,” Tussler said. “We have paired each mobile market stop with our outreach to increase access to fresh foods for seniors.”
The Mobile Market will make its first stop Monday, Nov. 9 at College Court (3334 W. Highland Blvd.) for a kickoff event beginning at 1:30 p.m. Pick ’n Save, Hunger Task Force and community members will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony and press conference.
For more information about the Pick ’n Save Fresh Picks Mobile Market store hours and locations, visit HungerTaskForce.org or PicknSave.com/MobileMarket.
About Hunger Task Force
Hunger Task Force believes that every person has the right to adequate food obtained with dignity. Hunger Task Force works to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger free community tomorrow. For more information visit HungerTaskForce.org.
About Roundy’s
Roundy’s is a leading grocer in the Midwest with nearly $4.0 billion in sales and more than 22,000 employees. Founded in Milwaukee in 1872, Roundy’s operates 151 retail grocery stores and 101 pharmacies under the Copps, Pick ’n Save, Metro Market and Mariano’s retail banners in Wisconsin and Illinois. Roundy’s is committed to helping the communities its stores serve through the Roundy’s Foundation. Chartered in 2003, the Roundy’s Foundation mission is to support organizations working to relieve hunger and helping families in crisis due to domestic abuse, neglect and other at-risk situations.
SOURCE: Roundy’s