Few would argue that fresh food is necessary for a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. But it’s often expensive, making it difficult for low-income populations to both eat healthy and stay on budget.

Finding ways for Lincoln’s most impoverished neighborhoods to access fresh fruits and vegetables has been one of the goals of the Food Bank of Lincoln. And this spring, it’s taking its solutions on the road with Lincoln Fresh, a mobile produce operation involving local grocers and a bright-blue food truck.

“It’s addressing the health disparities among our community due to factors such as poverty (and) limited access to healthy foods,” said Kati Umberger, healthy food access coordinator at the food bank.

The food truck is part of a collaboration between the food bank and the Community Health Endowment, which in 2018 invested more than $950,000 to increase access to healthy foods in Lincoln.

“Access to healthy food, or lack thereof, correlates with poverty, obesity and lower life expectancy in Lincoln,” said Lori Seibel, president and CEO of Community Health Endowment. “Our board sees this investment as critical to the long-term health and well-being of the city we love.” 

The truck makes biweekly stops at several sites around Lincoln, from church parking lots to community centers.