DURHAM, NC –  By this time of the month every year, many resolutions, including those focused on eating healthier, have about reach their shelf lives.

A partnership between Durham County Government and the Veggie Van looks to keep some of those resolutions from going stale. 

With financial support from the County, Veggie Van is expanding its services to the Durham County Library’s main branch, Duke Family Medicine Center, and Walltown Park Recreation Center later this month.

A fourth site at Lincoln Community Health Center is slated for a late spring opening.

“We are lucky in North Carolina to have local produce available all year long,” says Veggie Van Program Coordinator Casey Horvitz. “Our customers will see collards and different lettuces, winter squash, sweet potatoes, all different types of apples and more. In addition to adding more locations, Veggie Van now accepts orders and payments online making it easier than ever to get fresh local produce.”

Veggie Van is a sliding scale mobile market connecting North Carolina farmers to Durham residents with limited income or access to affordable healthy food. Veggie Van is a program of Community Nutrition Partnership (CNP), a nonprofit organization based in Durham.

CNP has partnered with the County since May 2013, when it opened a site at the Durham County Department of Public Health. CNP also works with the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention to evaluate the Veggie Van and ensure it is meeting the needs of the community.

Similar to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Veggie Van delivers shares of produce every week for a set cost. Veggie Van keeps prices low by buying in bulk and passing discounts on to customers. Orders are sold on a sliding scale; people who can afford to spend more volunteer a few extra dollars to help people with lower income afford the produce at a lower price. The Veggie Van also sells individual produce items, but the shares are the best deal. Customers can also pay with EBT, commonly referred to as food stamps. 

“Empowering our residents to make healthy choices by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables is at the core of creating a healthier and more resilient community,” says Durham County Public Health Director Gayle B. Harris. “Collaboration is the key to solving Durham’s public health problems. Only through working with and supporting our community partners will we expand our reach exponentially.”

To find out more about Veggie Van, including their market schedule, visit www.cnpnc.org, call 910-292-9166 or e-mail veggievan@cnpnc.org.

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