As Grocery Prices Rise, Mobile Market Serves Hundreds Of Johnston County Families

CLAYTON, N.C. — As summer temperatures soar and utility bills climb, more Johnston County families are turning to a weekly mobile grocery market to help make ends meet.

Ripe for Revival, in partnership with Brightspeed, will continue bringing its pay-what-you-can mobile market to Clayton throughout July, providing fresh produce, meat, eggs and pantry staples at prices typically 20 to 30 percent below traditional grocery stores.

The market will be open from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on July 13, July 20 and July 27 at First Baptist Church, 411 N. Fayetteville Street in Clayton.

The need has grown significantly this year.

From January through June, the Clayton market hosted 21 mobile markets, serving approximately 350 families. During that time, organizers distributed more than 26,800 servings of food, including 3,792 pounds of fresh produce and 4,232 pounds of food when protein and shelf-stable items are included.

JT Tyndall, director of ministry and partnerships for Ripe for Revival, said attendance has nearly doubled compared to last year.

“We averaged about nine people per market last year,” Tyndall said. “This year, we’re averaging 16½, but we’ve seen an increase each month as temperatures have warmed up. During the summer months, we average about 20 families per market.”

Tyndall believes several factors are driving the increase.

“There are several factors, including awareness of the market, increase of inflation with gas prices and grocery prices,” he said.

The mobile market serves a wide range of Johnston County residents.

“The typical customer ranges from people on fixed incomes to single mothers, as well as customers who help pay it forward and support our mission,” Tyndall said.

Unlike a traditional grocery store, the mobile market operates on a pay-what-you-can model. Shoppers receive a suggested total based on the items they select but are encouraged to pay only what they can afford.

“The prices stay at about 20 to 30 percent less than what you see at a traditional grocery store,” Tyndall said. “We compare mainly to stores like Food Lion and Walmart.”

After shopping, customers decide how much they are able to pay.

“The customer may pay at the suggested price, but if they can only pay $5, they pay $5,” Tyndall explained. “If they can’t pay anything, we say, ‘OK,’ and hope that we see them next week.”

Others choose to help support the program by paying more than their total.

“We have some who will pay $20, but their suggested price is only $15,” he said.

The market does not require income verification or eligibility screening.

“There are no background checks or anything,” Tyndall said. “We take people at their word.”

Protein, eggs and fresh corn are among the most requested items.

“It seems like gas prices are really impacting these items,” Tyndall said.

Johnston County continues to have a significant need for affordable food options. According to Ripe for Revival, approximately 26,175 Johnston County residents participate in SNAP, also known as Food and Nutrition Services, and the county’s poverty rate is approximately 10.6 percent.

Tyndall said the organization believes there is room to grow.

“Based on the growing need that we continue to see each month, there is absolutely opportunity to expand our markets here and continue to support families across Johnston County,” he said.

He credited community partners for helping keep the markets operating.

“Partners like Brightspeed, Coastal Credit Union and United Healthcare have been critical and stepped up to help support our markets to ensure that we can be here each week for families counting on us during these hard times,” Tyndall said.

He said one of the organization’s long-term goals is to purchase more produce directly from North Carolina farmers.

“Another challenge is finding and working with local suppliers and growers who have excess produce,” Tyndall said. “We want to purchase from them and help put that food back into the communities they serve.”

Upcoming Johnston County Mobile Market

Clayton

• Monday, July 13 — 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, July 20 — 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, July 27 — 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: First Baptist Church, 411 N. Fayetteville St., Clayton.