In 2016, the Mahoning Valley was declared a food desert, meaning it is a geographical area where residents’ access to healthy and affordable food options is restricted due to the lack of grocery options within a reasonable distance.
ACTION began fighting food insecurity in the Mahoning Valley by partnering with Flying High to create pop up markets, but the demand was high and the pop up markets were not enough.
In 2022, the Mobile Market launched. This past spring we celebrated one year of service to the community.
The demand is still high, which is why in the beginning of 2024, a second Mobile Market will be launched in Trumbull County. Stay tuned for updates!
The Mahoning Valley Mobile Market is a grocery store on wheels that travels throughout the community. The market has fresh produce, meats, dairy items, non dairy milks, frozen dinners, dry pantry items, and more for customers to choose from. The grocery store on wheels was a combined effort of ACTION and Flying High, two nonprofit organizations that are fighting food insecurity in the Mahoning Valley. The Mobile Market is for any Mahoning valley resident that is over the age of 18.
To assist with the ongoing pressures caused by the food desert, the Mobile Market gives out $15 vouchers that can be used to shop on the Mobile Market. Customers can receive one voucher per household per month.
Vouchers are as good as money on the Mobile Market. To sign up, customers must be over the age of 18 and have an ID. There will be limited quantities of vouchers available at the locations, which will be passed out on a first come first serve basis.
Customers are still welcome to shop using cash, card, EBT, SNAP, and any of the other payments that are accepted on the Mobile Market so they can receive groceries at market value. You are welcome to shop multiple times a month at the Mobile Market; however, you will only be eligible for one voucher per household per month. At this time, there are no plans to renew the Commissioner Voucher Booklets.