Toms Creek Family Farm Mobile Food Market launch
February 20, 2024
The City of Columbia announced the launch of the Toms Creek Family Farm Mobile Food Market thanks to an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding from City Council.
District I Councilwoman Tina Herbert said, “This mobile market will bring convenience and accessibility of quality food to our communities.” Herbert added, “the adaptability of mobile food markets allow them to also participate in events and community gatherings.” In December 2019, a report from the Food Equity Subcommittee for the Columbia Food Policy Committee identified multiple challenges in terms of food access for residents of Columbia. These challenges included the quality of food provided at nearby grocery stores in underserved areas, the accessibility of local grocery stores offering healthy food items, the affordability of healthy foods, and lack of transportation options for residents to go to markets and grocery stores. In response to these findings, the creation of the mobile market was born.
The mobile market will serve areas in Columbia with a priority for the targeted 29203 and 29204 areas. A trailer has been upfitted to accommodate fresh produce, proteins, dairy, and fresh baked goods.
“The mobile market is an exciting step to expand access to healthy and nutritious foods across Columbia,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “City Council and I believe it is time to try new things to ensure we finally increase food security across our neighborhoods. The Toms Creek Family Farms mobile market is a creative solution, and I look forward to witnessing its positive impact.”
The mobile food market will offer at least 85 percent of South Carolina grown produce from Toms Creek Family Farms and other local farmers, when available.
Also, the market will accept a variety of payment methods to include cash, all major credit cards, SNAP benefits, and DSS Senior Voucher Program (when offered). Toms Creek Family Farms participates in the “Healthy Bucks” program that allows SNAP recipients to obtain additional fresh fruits and vegetables when they use their SNAP benefits to purchase fresh produce at participating farmer’s markets. The dates and times will be advertised to the public and shared on social media.
Shana Catoe, Chair of Columbia Food Policy Committee stated “the anticipation for the launch of this mobile market project has been great. It is so rewarding to know that this initiative is now ready to roll out to the community for our neighbors to utilize”.
The following locations have been identified for the mobile market. Those locations are:
Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue (29203)
Greenview Park, 6700 David Street (29203)
Edgewood Library, 2101 Oak Street (29204)
Additional locations will be added soon. The anticipated start date of the mobile market is early March 2024.
About Toms Creek Family Farms, LLC
Toms Creek Family Farms, LLC is a small business located in Hopkins, SC that has participate in the Soda City Farmers Market, Sumter Farmers Market, and similar venues for three years. They have also provided their services to assisted living facilities in the local area.
