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By Ellen Brabo, For Washington Daily News

The Ripe for Revival Mobile Market recently made its inaugural debut in Beaufort County with support from local State Farm Agent Mauri Evans, who hosted the event in Washington, North Carolina, August 9. The mobile market, a venture by Ripe Revival based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, aims to address the disparity between farm access and food access in underserved communities.

Ripe Revival operates a fleet of four mobile market buses, with a fifth one slated for introduction later this year. Their service spans across ten counties, primarily east of Raleigh. Beaufort County is the tenth addition to their service area. Each bus’s objective is to host three stops daily, striving to serve at least 60 individuals at each location.

Ripe Revival’s expansion into Beaufort County was met with enthusiasm and support.

“Everyone is so supportive and excited,” noted Kara Cox, Executive Community Director for Ripe Revival. “It has been such a delightful experience. Every single person that we have met with or been involved with has been fantastic.”

Cox emphasized Ripe Revival’s inclusive approach to community engagement, covering all age groups and forging partnerships with non-profits, businesses, and individuals. The mobile market acts as a unifying force, rallying the community against food insecurity.

“We are working to consistently be in Beaufort County every week between Belhaven, Aurora, and Washington, if not all three,” said JT Tyndall, Community Cultivation Coordinator for Ripe Revival. “We want to be in the same location every week at the same time.”

The initiative’s success lies in its ability to gauge demand accurately. Tyndall shared that they initially overstock to accommodate varying requirements, refining their stocking approach based on data accumulated over time.

The mobile market caters to a broad demographic, offering a range of products, primarily sourced from North Carolina. When shopping, there are some limits on the amount of protein, dairy and eggs a consumer can purchase, but no limits on produce. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

Cox underscored the significance of the mobile market as it provides accessible, affordable, and healthy options. The mobile market bus is equipped with produce shelving, refrigeration, freezers, and a mobile cooking cart for taste testing and nutrition education.

“We have a suggested price, which is about thirty percent below grocery store prices, and that is checked frequently,” explained Cox. “You can pay it forward, you can pay the suggested price, or you can pay what you can that day knowing that other people have paid it forward for you.”

The next Ripe for Revival Mobile Market event for Beaufort County is scheduled from 1 pm to 3 pm in Belhaven, NC on September 2nd. The Mobile Market schedule is available on the Ripe Revival social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, @RipeRevival.