ORLANDO, Fla. — Leaders with United Against Poverty Orlando are relaunching a mobile truck program that brings fresh groceries to underserved areas.
Executive Director Anjali Vaya said between 550 and 650 people visit the organization’s West Michigan Street facility each day.
The nonprofit is relaunching its Mobile Prosperity Project in May, which was first started during the COVID-19 pandemic but stopped after the group lost funding when the pandemic ended.
“Since we had done it in some markets in 2020, we’re relaunching the program," Vaya said. "But really, we have taken a much deeper dive on to it and to what these areas that are struggling as food deserts need."
Vaya said the organization’s partners made it possible to kick-start the project. They were given $400,000 to purchase two refrigerated trucks, which will allow the organization to bring more than just fresh groceries to different neighborhoods.
“With us on these routes, you might find a dietician," Vaya said. "You might find one of our health care partners on route with us."
She said foot traffic has gone up at UP Orlando because people can shop for groceries at a fraction of a supermarket price.
“A lot of the times these individuals are having to take two buses or three buses to get to us, so they can only get to us once every two weeks,” Vaya said. “But what if we were able to come out in the interim to their areas?”
The organization's first deployment will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Denton Jonson Center in Eatonville on May 21.
Vaya said future plans include expanding into Parramore in June and eventually other communities, like Pine Hills.