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Community Markets Inc. pitches mobile market and senior voucher pilot to council
Summary
Mark Pfeiffer of Community Markets Inc. described a refrigerated trailer mobile market operating in Charles Town and nearby towns, said the program has returned more than $200,000 to the local economy, served about 150 families at one event, and asked council to consider continued support.
Mark Pfeiffer (speaker 8) told council that Community Markets Inc. runs mobile farmers markets that connect locally grown produce to families in need. He described a refrigerated trailer parked outside City Hall and said in under two years the program has put more than $200,000 back into the local economy by buying at fair prices from local farmers and distributing produce free to families in need.
Pfeiffer highlighted program partnerships (including Ransom Community Gardens, the county senior center, and local market operators), a senior voucher pilot funded with a $5,000 seed grant from the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, and an estimated capacity of about 300 food bags in the trailer when fully stocked. He said recent outreach served roughly 150 families at a Ransom Community Gardens event and noted a steady pickup of about 40 preorders weekly at one site.
Pfeiffer asked the council to consider budget or volunteer support to sustain and expand the program, and offered to meet individually with council members to discuss collaboration.
