We’ve had an exciting summer! Community events, new partnerships, and summer camps are just a few updates from this season. Read on for the latest news from Summit Fresh Mobile Market.
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SUMMER NEWSLETTER
Fresh Picks
We kicked off the summer with exciting news: Summit Fresh was nominated as one of Akron’s Top Five Grocery Stores through the Community Choice Awards!
We also attended a large number of community events, bringing our mobile market to places like Cascade Locks Park Association Free Lunch Friday.
In other exciting announcements, we’ve partnered with Rubber City Reuse to recycle all food waste that cannot be donated. Shoppers can guarantee they are getting the freshest food possible at every market, and what doesn’t get sold will be sustainably reused to grow more food!
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
We debuted our kids summer camp series at multiple locations throughout June and July! Young food explorers learned about grocery budgeting, where food comes from, and how whole grains are milled into flour.
Campers made a kid-friendly lunch, shopped for ingredients aboard the mobile market, and left with a Summit Fresh swag bag featuring family program materials, hand sanitizer, a panini press and spatula, and groceries from the activity.
Made possible by a generous grant from the Huntington Akron Foundation, this incredible program will continue three additional times in July and once in August, reaching approximately 150 children this summer.
KIDS (AT CAMP) SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS:
“This is better than where my mom shops!”
“Can you stock the truck with only ice cream and come to my neighborhood?”
“I’m only shopping at the Mobile Market from now on!’
— feedback from our
Crown Point Ecology campers
IN THE COMMUNITY
On June 17, Summit Fresh joined the Choices Whole Health Fair at House Three Thirty, connecting with new community members and organizations committed to health and food access.
That connection led to an invitation from the LeBron James Foundation to participate in its August backpack giveaway at I PROMISE HealthQuarters, which typically serves approximately 3,000 children and families.
The American Heart Association will also support Summit Fresh with a monthly health education volunteer and two additional market collaborations this year.
MARKET MOMENTUM
The market has been moving! Many locations averaged approximately $500 in sales, reflecting stronger customer engagement and growing awareness.
Beginning August 1, with generous support from the McGregor Foundation, we plan to add cooking demonstrations at additional markets—offering simple, healthy meal ideas and tasty inspiration, with a special focus on our senior communities.
BEHIND THE SCENES
We installed ceiling-mounted air conditioning units for the mobile market to help protect inventory, reduce spoilage, and improve the shopper experience during warmer months.
We continue to evaluate potential locations for a new site that can house our truck, store backup supplies, and support inventory preparation.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the year continues, Summit Fresh will keep expanding partnerships, enhancing market experiences, strengthening volunteer engagement, and helping more families access fresh, affordable food close to home.
Stay up-to-date with our market schedule, special events, youth camps, and developments at summitfreshmobilemarket.com and connect with us on social media!
Facebook: facebook.com/SummitFresh
Instagram: @summitfreshmobilemarket
TikTok: @summitfresh
VOLUNTEER
Want to be part of the fun? Volunteers help greet shoppers, support set-up, share information, assist with special events, and bring positive energy to neighborhood markets. SIgn up here.
Mobile Market team to learn about upcoming volunteer
Ready to roll with us? Reach out to the Summit Fresh opportunities and help keep the market moving! Or sign up for a shift at SignUpGenius.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to every shopper, partner, donor, board member, and community champion who helped make this summer so encouraging
With gratitude,
The Summit Fresh Mobile Market Team
Summit Fresh Mobile Market is a 501(c)3 and our mission is to sell fresh, healthy, and affordable groceries to communities designated as food deserts, to empower every individual with agency to access nutritious food, and to promote equity in health outcomes leading to enhanced well-being across resource restricted communities.
summitfreshmobilemarket.com [email protected]
Summit Fresh Mobile Market 2711 West Market Street Unit 5232
Akron, OH 44334