Growing Places Indy reaches fundraising goal, plans to buy bus for mobile market soon

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis organization focused on fighting food insecurity is celebrating after reaching its fundraising goal and coming one step closer to bringing fresh, local food to Indianapolis.

Growing Places Indy says it plans to buy the bus soon that will become the "Vegetabus" - a mobile market that will help residents in food deserts

89 patrons raised $15,000, which will be matched through a grant.

"We all know that with COVID food access was a huge issue [with] a lot of people being on SNAP for the first time in their lives," Growing Places Indy Executive Director Victoria Beaty said. "The pandemic isn't over. We have roughly 200,000 people that are food insecure in Indianapolis."

The bus will have produce grown by the organization and other grocery items. Beaty says the mobile market will allow them to reach people outside of their service area.

"We know that transportation is a huge barrier in the city when it comes to food access. We really want to eliminate that and be able to be on wheels and have a mobile market," Beaty said.

The Vegetabus will be a pay what you can model in order to eliminate as many barriers as possible.

John Hay works with Growing Places Indy and sees the need firsthand.

"We need all kinds of outreach ... it's not the ultimate answer, but it's what we need right now," Hay said.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will provide a matching grant as part of its Creating Places Program.

To find out more information or donate, click here.