The NOFC started development of an innovative Mobile Market project last year and it has evolved into a larger partnership. We proudly announce the project is now under the management of marketumbrella.org in partnership with the NOFC and Second Harvest Food Bank of greater New Orleans and Acadiana.

The NOFC is proud to be a part of this partnership, and we are pleased that a project that we have envisioned for some time has attracted these more capitalized partners.  The essence of the partnership has marketumbrella.org operating the front-end, which includes the point-of-sale, the retail management and the day-to-day money handling. Second Harvest –which had been exploring the model already using the example of a similar project operated by another Second Harvest food bank in Arizona– is preparing to utilize their massive transportation and warehousing assets to operate the back-end. Both organizations are currently working out the finer points of the project operations within their respective organizations. The NOFC will provide a steady flow of volunteers looking to learn aspects of market operation as well as investigate and foster contacts within community groups around the New Orleans area as the partnership looks for market locations.

The Mobile Market is designed to provide quick access to under-served neighborhoods, whether because of an actual lack of standard grocery retail services or because of the disruption of a natural disaster. It is modeled somewhat on the People’s Grocery in California as well as various mobile pantry operations operated by Red Cross organizations or other food banks.

To further develop the Mobile Market Project and start operations, marketumbrella.org has formed a Working Group comprised of a variety of folks. We are currently working on an informational packet that we expect to market around to potential community groups in neighborhoods around the city. If you are interested in contributing to this innovative and unique project, the NOFC has a few seats reserved on the marketumbrella.org Mobile Market Working Group, and you are welcome to get involved, simply email us at info@nolafoodcoop.org.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Mobile Market as it was being developed by the NOFC alone, you can check out the wiki pages for the project, although bear in mind that these pages no longer represent the current development of the project. (although if you would like to join the Working Group and take the role of a maintainer to keep the wiki pages up-to-date, let us know!)

There is also a new category in our news posts for the Mobile Market, so check back periodically if you are interested in following the development of this unique and creative project.