Community Mobile Markets
Whether its a food fair, a mobile market distribution, or our Food on the Move program, the St. Louis Area Foodbank swiftly deliver fresh and nutritious food directly to clients living in areas with limited access to fresh foods.
For information about upcoming Mobile Market dates and locations, click here.
Pop-up Food Fairs
Pop-Up Food Fairs are held in areas where people in need have limited options for food assistance.
Each month we identify four zip codes that are in need of more food based on the following criteria:
- Meals Per Person-In-Need goals
- Zip codes with food insecurity rates of 15% or higher
- Zip codes with poverty level of 30% or higher
- Zip codes with unemployment levels of 15% or higher
In one afternoon, we give out approximately 18-25,000 pounds of food and toiletry items directly to these families.
Our Programs team attends and manages these events with the help of our partner agencies and volunteers.
We work with a partner agency in that community to identify 200 families who are the most in need. These families receive Food Fair vouchers. Food and household products are distributed through two types of models: Drive-through and Walk-through.
Drive-Through model
Individuals and families drive through a distribution line and volunteers place items in their car.
Walk-Through model
Individuals walk through a distribution line and volunteers assist individuals receiving items in carts, wagons, or other walking carriers.
FOOD ON THE MOVE
Food on the Move is a direct service program for individuals living in areas of Illinois and Missouri with limited access to healthy food and resources. The goal is to increase access by eliminating transportation barriers on a more regular basis. We also hope to minimize food waste by allowing people to choose quantities and products that fit their needs.
Feeding America Map the Meal Gap data designates zip codes for this program considering the following criteria:
- food insecurity rate of 30% or greater
- poverty level of 30% or greater
- unemployment of 15% or greater
- limited food access points and resources in the area
Our pilot year was an amazing success. We are currently serving 13 different locations and are in the process of expanding this innovative program in order to reach more areas in the bi-state region.
Funded in part by: 
MOBILE MARKETS
At Mobile Markets, we deliver food on a monthly basis to partner agencies and program partners. Partner agencies and program partners, along with volunteers, quickly give out food to families in need. Every distribution is unique and can be set up differently depending on the needs and location of our partners.
We make almost 80 Mobile Market deliveries each month. Criteria for identifying Mobile Markets are as follows:
- Meals Per Person-In-Need goals
- Zip codes with food insecurity rates of 15% or higher
- Zip codes with a poverty level of 30% or higher
- Zip codes with unemployment levels of 15% or higher
Agencies in both rural and urban locations benefit from the Mobile Market program. Markets can coincide with an agency’s scheduled open hours or serve as an added resource.