The Inn of the Good Shepherd has committed to delivering over 8,000 lbs of fresh produce to families in need, each week, as part of its 2025 summer support programs.
Executive Director Myles Vanni said the Mobile Market, which is now in its 15th season, is one of the three initiatives underway.
"It's about getting fresh, healthy food out to folks," said Vanni. "Not just once every month when they come to visit the food bank, but every week, being able to get those fresh, healthy vegetables and fruit. Which is so important from a nutrition point of view."
Vanni said they have 18 weekly stops across Lambton County.
"I think there's about eight here in town and 10 out in the county, into the smaller communities. Transportation is often such a challenge for folks, particularly in communities where there are no grocery stores. So, being able to have the Mobile Market at their doorstep is really a blessing for them," he said.
Pembina Pipeline has returned as the lead sponsor of the Mobile Market, and local gardeners can support the initiative by donating excess produce from their home or community gardens directly to The Inn’s John Street location.
"We'll distribute about 8,000 lbs of vegetables every week and, in addition to that, we have health organizations like public health or west Lambton who will come out and have their health promoters be on site. So, it really does focus on being a little bit of a mini health fair for folks," Vanni said.
Marketgoers can expect a wide variety of up to 12 seasonal vegetables, including potatoes, corn, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and carrots.
Parents and guardians of elementary-aged children can also pick up snack packs at the Mobile Market.
The initiative is designed to provide 21 healthy snacks, including fresh fruit and dairy, to support three snacks a day for active kids.
"After the bell rings in June, there's no school, but there's also no student nutrition program," Vanni said. "A lot of families rely on that nutrition for their children, and that's important because you want the nutrition for good learning. Well, it's the same in the summer, they want nutrition for good healthy active play,"
Vanni said they're also spending the next two months getting kids ready for fall with around 1,200 back to school kits.
"The backpacks are grade specific. High school kids have scientific calculators, Kindergarten [students] have crayons in their backpacks. So it's really trying to provide the good tools for learning that they need," he said.
Backpacks will be distributed during the last week of August at The Inn, Temple Baptist Church, through the Mobile Market, or through local caseworkers.
"It's important for us to make sure those kids have those backpacks before the September long weekend. So that first day of school, they're going to go to school like any other child. With a new backpack and a smile on their face, and not end up having to be embarrassed maybe because they don't have the things that the teacher wants them to have for their learning," Vanni said.
Community members can drop off school supply donations or pre-packed kits from Manley’s Basics at The Inn throughout July and August.