Rooted in community: Mobile Food Market flourishes in Dartmouth

One year after planting permanent roots in North Dartmouth, Mobile Food Market’s services are growing and their community is blossoming.

For almost 10 years, the market on wheels has been using a food truck to take fresh, affordable produce to communities that lack access to healthy food.

Since opening a permanent location in north Dartmouth in January 2024, two times as many people visit the market each week and a total of 84,174 kilograms of food has been distributed, according to a 2024 report.

“Every community in Nova Scotia is different,” says executive director Mandy Chapman.

“So meeting them where they are at, with food that is culturally appropriate, sustainable, that they know how to cook, all goes a long way in feeding into food sovereignty and making sure communities thrive.”

The North Dartmouth site was chosen for the area’s high rates of food insecurity, Chapman says, and the permanent location has created a place for the community to gather. Bins of produce line the centre of the room, with tables and chairs along the back wall for customers to sit and eat a free, healthy dinner provided by the Loaded Ladle Soup Kitchen.

There is an area for kids with toys, games and food-themed colouring pages, and Chapman says they also often have libraries or health boards who come to connect with customers.

“It’s about more than the food,” Chapman said. “We want to build a community.”

Ash Avery, executive director of Feed Nova Scotia, says services like Mobile Food Market are a key tool in the fight against food insecurity and building food sovereignty.

“Food sovereignty goes beyond food security,” said Avery. “It’s about people, communities, being in control of their food systems, with an emphasis on local food and sustainable practices.”

In Nova Scotia, three main grocery chains control the market, Avery said. She added that without any competition, the problematic practices of these chains hike the cost of living.

“Food sovereignty is really about challenging the corporate capitalization of food,” Avery says.

“And the first step towards that is connecting communities to food that is local, accessible and affordable.”

Mobile Food Market’s program co-ordinator Rhea Gupta says volunteers play a big role in connecting with customers and building community.

Volunteer June Xu, Gupta says, has been at the markets longer than anyone else. Gupta added that everyone, especially children, look forward to seeing Xu each week.

“It seems the kids don’t have anyone to play with, and I’m the littlest person,” laughed Xu. “But I love it. I love coming here every week, meeting everyone, chatting with everyone. I have a lot of time, and I want to do something meaningful.”

While the new location has allowed Mobile Food Market to reach more people, it has also highlighted the amount of people in need of food resources, Chapman says. “This location has definitely put a larger spotlight on food insecurity,” she said.

“It’s propelled us to say, ‘Hey! Look! These guys are here, and this is great, but now we need more.’ ”