In Lexington.

Some people are too far away from the nearest grocery store or they don't have enough money to shop in one.

The problem is worse in communities of color.

So now a new mobile market is trying to bring groceries to the people who need them most.

This has been two years in the making and it has been a long labor of love through many challenges.

The mobile market is now ready to hit the streets.

It is a rolling food oasis that will serve several areas in Lexington without a grocery store nearby.

It will be a place anyone can purchase fresh produce and staples.

This issue came out of my Commission on Racial Justice because one of the issues in the health section was lack of availability of fresh food.

Everyone deserves the right to access healthy, fresh and nutritious food that is relevant to their culture.

The USDA's 2023 report on food security show that Kentucky households are more food insecure than our nation's average.

13.1% of our population is considered food insecure.

To the extent that normal eating patterns of some household members are disrupted and food intake is considered below adequate, there are identifiers that cause the prevalence of food insecurity to be higher, such as race, ethnicity, age, disability, income and education.

We know it's essential to have grocers and experts in food marketing and distribution to operate this vehicle.

It will be stocked by the Kroger company and operated by God's Pantry Food Bank.

Items for sale will include a healthy selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, chicken.

There's beef in there.

Pork, deli meat, cheese, yogurt, a limited amount of household products.

And the mobile market will make about 60 stops each month.

Tuesday through Saturday, a calendar is available online on the city's website so residents can plan for their shopping.

Whether we realize it or not, food is medicine and our health outcomes are determined by our medicine.

And if food is medicine that everyone deserves the right to food, nutritious food, regardless of socioeconomic background, ethnicity or ability to improve food access and healthy food options, the Lexington mobile market not only improves access by being a mobile point of sale for fresh produce and other staples, but it also aids in improving health outcomes not only for disparate communities but for all of Lexington.

Today, I am excited that the Lexington Mobile Market is a testament to the implementation of innovative strategies to meet a need in our community so that everyone has a chance to not only live here but to thrive here.

The mobile market will operate on a cashless system.

Customers can pay by debit or credit card SNAP or ADT.