Shane is a chef living just steps from the St. Andrews Mobile Food Market (MFM) in Cambridge. When he first noticed it while driving by—tables lined with fresh produce outside St Andrew’s Church—he was curious. But it was his girlfriend, Maggie, who nudged him to stop and check it out.
She told him about the market’s initiative to make fresh, affordable produce available to everyone, and how shopping at the market not only saved money, but also helped make the market more accessible to others.
Still, Shane—and many others we recently surveyed—had questions that made them hesitate to shop at the MFM:
“Is the quality there? Is this really for me? Should I leave the food for someone who needs it more?”
What he found surprised him—not because it was unexpectedly good, but because it was exactly what it claimed to be: a friendly, convenient, community-driven initiative offering fresh, local produce at a great price to everyone.
“It’s cool. It’s a neat neighbourhood initiative. The people are nice. And I like that it’s local farm-based when possible—it tastes good, it’s fresh, and it’s seasonal, which makes it fun to be creative in the kitchen.”
Now, visiting the Mobile Food Market is a weekly routine for Shane and Mary. Every Wednesday, they walk over together to pick up their produce. Sometimes Shane even pays $20 per basket—intentionally—so others can access food through the market’s pay-what-you-can model.
“It’s good to help build community and support local. It’s worth the price—especially these days when everything costs so much. Plus, it just feels good to pay it forward.”
Shane’s story reflects what more than 135 recent Mobile Food Market shoppers have shared with us:
- 40% want to support accessible food for all
- 48% shop because they need or want to save money
- Others value the freshness, seasonality, and sense of community
This market isn’t just for those in financial need—it’s for anyone who wants to eat well and support a local food system that works for everyone.
And yes—the food is good. Really good. The Cambridge Food Bank sources it from local farms whenever possible, and supplements from the Toronto food terminal when needed. The result is a market that meets real needs, with real dignity—and invites everyone to participate.
Fresh produce. Fair prices. A stronger community. That’s what the Mobile Food Market is all about.
