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Mobile Food Market

Category: Mobile Food Market

Grilled Corn and Eggplant Salad 

A Delicious Summer Salad You Can Make on the Grill or in the Oven 

Serves 4 

Ingredients: 

  • 4 Cobs of Corn, shucked 
  • 2 Jalapeno Peppers 
  • ½ Red Onion, peeled 
  • 1 Eggplant, cut in half 
  • 3 tbsp Canola or Olive Oil 
  • 1 Lemon 
  • 2 Tomatoes, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces 
  • Salt and Pepper to taste 
  • 1 Bunch of Parsley or Cilantro, roughly chopped 

Directions:

  1. Drizzle the vegetables with 2 tbsp of oil and sprinkle with the chili flakes. If you’re grilling, heat the grill to medium. If you’re using the oven, set the broiler to low and put the corn on one sheet pan and the other vegetables on a second sheet pan. 
  2. Grill the corn, or roast it under the broiler, for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and charred. Set aside to cool. 
  3. Grill, or roast, the pepper, onion, and eggplant, again turning as needed, until they’re charred and cooked, another 3-5 minutes. Set aside to cool. 
  4. Once the corn has cooled enough to work with cut the kernels off the cobs and add them to a large bowl with the tomatoes. Remove the stem and the seeds from the peppers, then thinly slice them and the red onion. Cut the eggplant into bite sized pieces, then add everything to the bowl of corn and tomato. 
  5. Zest the lemon over the salad, then cut it in half and squeeze over the juice. Add a little more oil, if desired, as well as the salt, pepper and either parsley or cilantro. Mix thoroughly, then serve and enjoy! 

When the Mobile Food Market Earns the Trust of a Chef, It’s Worth Paying Attention

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.

How to Freeze, Preserve or Dehydrate Items from one of our Mobile Food Market Basket

When you have extra produce, preserving it ensures you can enjoy it later. Below are different methods for freezing, preserving in jars, and dehydrating apples, zucchini, beets, onions, bell peppers, and lime.

1. Freezing

Freezing is an easy way to keep produce fresh for months. Most vegetables need to be blanched before freezing to maintain texture and color.

Apples:

  • Slice apples and remove seeds.
  • To prevent browning, toss in lemon or lime juice.
  • Lay slices on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for 1–2 hours.
  • Transfer to freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
  • Use for: Smoothies, baking, or blend into applesauce.

Zucchini (for cooking or zoodles):

  • Wash and cut into slices, cubes, or zoodles.
  • Blanch in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then immediately cool in ice water.
  • Drain well and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to bags.
  • Use for: Soups, stir-fries, or blending into sauces.

Beets:

  • Wash, peel, and cut into slices or cubes.
  • Blanch for 2–3 minutes, then cool in ice water.
  • Spread on a baking sheet to freeze before transferring to bags.
  • Use for: Roasting, salads, or smoothies.

Onions:

  • Peel and chop (diced or sliced).
  • Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour.
  • Transfer to freezer bags.
  • No blanching needed!
  • Use for: Cooking (soups, stir-fries, omelettes).

Bell Peppers:

  • Wash, remove seeds, and slice or dice.
  • Spread on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour.
  • Transfer to freezer bags.
  • No blanching needed!
  • Use for: Stir-fries, omelets, soups.

Lime (Juice & Zest):

  • Juice: Squeeze and pour into ice cube trays, then transfer cubes to a bag.
  • Zest: Grate the peel and store in a small container or freezer bag.
  • Use for: Dressings, marinades, and baking.

2. Preserving in Jars – click here for important safety tips

Canning is great for long-term storage without freezing.

Apples (Apple Sauce or Apple Butter):

  • Cook peeled and sliced apples with a little water until soft.
  • Mash or blend, then add cinnamon or sugar if desired.
  • Pour into sterilized jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
  • Use for: Spreading on toast, baking, or eating as-is.

Zucchini (Pickles or Relish):

  • Slice zucchini into rounds or sticks/spears.
  • Pack into sterilized jars with vinegar, garlic, dill, and salt.
  • Process in a hot water bath for 10–15 minutes.
  • Use for: Sandwiches, salads, or snacking.

Beets (Pickled Beets):

  • Boil or roast whole beets until soft, then peel and slice.
  • Pack into sterilized jars with a hot brine (vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices).
  • Process in a hot water bath for 30 minutes.
  • Use for: Salads, side dishes, or sandwiches.

Onions (Pickled Onions):

  • Slice onions thinly and pack into sterilized jars.
  • Pour hot vinegar brine (vinegar, sugar, salt) over them.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 1 month or process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes for longer storage.
  • Use for: Burgers, tacos, sandwiches.

Bell Peppers (Roasted and Preserved in Oil/Vinegar):

  • Roast peppers, peel the skin, and slice.
  • Pack into jars with vinegar or oil and a little salt.
  • Store in the fridge or process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes.
  • Use for: Sandwiches, pasta, or antipasto platters.

Be sure to follow Health Canada’s guidelines on canning any fruits and vegetables.  

3. Dehydrating

Dehydrating removes moisture for long-term storage. You can use a dehydrator or an oven at 135–150°F (57–65°C) with the door slightly open.

Apples (Apple Chips):

  • Slice apples thinly and dip in lemon water to prevent browning.
  • Arrange on dehydrator trays or a baking sheet.
  • Dehydrate at 135°F (57°C) for 6–8 hours until crisp.
  • Use for: Snacking, granola, or baking.

Zucchini (Zucchini Chips or Powder):

  • Slice into thin rounds or shred for powder.
  • Dehydrate at 125°F (52°C) for 6–12 hours.
  • Blend dried zucchini into powder for soups or sauces.
  • Use for: Snacks, soups, or pasta sauce thickener.

Beets (Beet Chips or Powder):

  • Slice thinly and arrange on trays.
  • Dehydrate at 135°F (57°C) for 6–10 hours.
  • Blend dried beets into a powder for smoothies.
  • Use for: Snacking or adding color to food.

Onions (Dried or Powdered):

  • Slice onions into thin rings.
  • Dehydrate at 125°F (52°C) for 6–10 hours until brittle.
  • Blend into onion powder if desired.
  • Use for: Cooking, soups, seasonings.

Bell Peppers (Dried Strips or Powder):

  • Cut into strips or dice.
  • Dehydrate at 125°F (52°C) for 8–12 hours.
  • Blend dried peppers into a powder for seasoning.
  • Use for: Soups, casseroles, or spice blends.

Lime (Dried Slices or Powder):

  • Slice thinly and remove seeds.
  • Dehydrate at 125°F (52°C) for 6–8 hours.
  • Use whole dried slices for tea or grind into lime powder.
  • Use for: Drinks, marinades, seasoning.
After any dehydration process, remove the dehydrated pieces to place in a glass jar. Any pieces that feel like they are still not fully dry, put them back into the dehydrator until dried.  
 

Follow this link to learn more about the dehydrating process.

 

Building Bridges Through Food: Community-Led Initiatives Supporting the Mobile Food Market

At the Cambridge Food Bank, we’re continually inspired by the creative and compassionate ways community members step up to make fresh, healthy food more accessible for everyone. One such initiative is led by individuals like Virginia, who coordinate efforts within a local apartment building to orders, and bags to purchase fresh produce baskets from our Mobile Food Market.

I had the pleasure of meeting Virginia earlier this month at the Kinbridge Community Association Mobile Food Market. She shared her process of gathering orders from individuals in an apartment building, ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious and affordable produce. Virginia also mentioned she’s not alone in this effort—others across the community are doing the same, forming a quiet but impactful network of support.

Here are three reasons why this initiative is so helpful:

  1. Increased Access to Fresh, Healthy Food
    For some seniors and residents in apartment complexes or in some neighbourhoods, mobility or transportation can be a challenge. By coordinating orders and pickups, organizers like Virginia help bridge the gap, ensuring people have access to fresh produce from the Mobile Food Market. It’s an efficient way to extend the reach of the Mobile Food Market and ensure more people benefit from it.
  2. Strengthened Sense of Community
    These efforts foster stronger relationships among neighbours. Collecting bags and orders becomes an opportunity for connection, conversation, and shared purpose, building a sense of belonging and mutual support within the community.
  3. Empowers Individuals to Make a Difference
    Virginia and others like her are shining examples of how one person’s initiative can ripple through a community. They show that small actions—like gathering orders or delivering bags—can have a big impact, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

At the Cambridge Food Bank, we’re incredibly grateful for individuals like Virginia who champion health, belonging, and sustainability within their communities. These grassroots efforts align perfectly with our mission of building health and belonging through food.

If you’re inspired by Virginia’s story and would like to organize a similar initiative in your building, feel free to reach out or visit our Mobile Food Market.

Thank you, Virginia, and all those making a difference in their neighbourhoods.

Here are four reasons why we need people of all incomes to shop at the Mobile Food Market.

The Mobile Food Market (MFM) is a unique, community-driven initiative designed to make fresh produce accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of income level.

This initiative relies on the participation of everyone in the community. Here’s why:

  1. Sustaining Affordability: Our market operates on a sliding scale pricing model, meaning that prices paid are what customers can afford.   The menu of fruits and vegetables offered each week costs the food bank $10 – $15 per basket. We encourage those who can afford to pay more to do so, as this helps subsidize the cost for those who cannot. Often, even when customers pay $10, they save 30-40% compared to retail prices. If someone’s basic needs are at risk, they can visit our sites in person and pay the subsidized fee per basket which is $5.00. Customers choose what they can afford to pay, no questions asked. This model helps ensure that fresh, nutritious food is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Your support in paying full price or even a bit more directly contributes to making this initiative sustainable and accessible for all.
  2. Reducing Stigma: By encouraging people from all walks of life to shop at the Mobile Food Market, we create a more inclusive and welcoming environment. This reduces the stigma often associated with food assistance programs, making it easier for those who need help to access it without feeling singled out.
  3. Building Community:The Mobile Food Market is more than just a place to buy food—it’s a space where community members can connect, share, and support each other. When people of all incomes come together at the market, we foster a sense of belonging and mutual respect that strengthens our community as a whole. A recent MFM survey tells us that 35% of people connected with additional support as a result of visiting the MFM.
  4. Promoting Food Security: Food security is a community-wide issue that requires a community-wide response. 92% of people who shop at the Mobile Food Market say that it has helped stretch their grocery budget and 87% are eating more fruits and vegetables. By shopping at the Mobile Food Market, you’re not only accessing fresh, healthy food for yourself, but you’re also supporting a program that ensures everyone in our community has access to nutritious food

Hours and Locations

The Mobile Food Market travels to many locations throughout Cambridge and one in Ayr. You can find our schedule and locations on our website or by following our social media channels. Shopping at the Mobile Food Market is simple—just visit the market at any of our scheduled stops, select your fresh produce, and pay what you can afford by cash or tap your card.

If you can’t make it to one of our in-person locations, you can still shop with us online and pick up your order at a local community center. This convenient option ensures you have access to fresh, affordable produce even if you can’t visit the Mobile Food Market in person. For more details and to start shopping, click here.

By shopping with us, you’re contributing to healthier people, a more connected community, and supporting environmental sustainability as the market purchases local produce whenever possible during the growing season.

Your participation makes a difference—thank you for supporting the Mobile Food Market!

Mobile Food Market Online Ordering

The Cambridge Food Bank’s Mobile Food Market now offers online commerce to shoppers with pick-ups at local community centres.


The Mobile Food Market, a beloved initiative by the Cambridge Food Bank committed to ensuring equitable access to fresh, afffordable produce, is proud to announce an expansion of its services. Building upon the success of its existing community locations and business site locations where communities and business site employees can pick up a variety of five fruits and vegetables, the Mobile Food Market is taking its mission to the next level by introducing a new commerce opportunity.


Starting April 2024, families in need of fresh produce will have the option to purchase weekly baskets online and conveniently pick them up at designated local community centres starting with the Fiddlesticks Community Centre every Thursday from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This innovative approach aims to provide yet another avenue for individuals and families to access affordable, nutritious food.


The Mobile Food Market is not just about providing fresh produce; it’s about connecting communities,” said Amy Slack, Operations Manager at the Cambridge Food Bank. “By offering weekly baskets for purchase online and pick-up at community centres, we’re making it easier for families to access healthy food options while also fostering economic opportunities.”


Understanding the financial constraints faced by many families, the Mobile Food Market is committed to keeping its produce affordable. Each basket costs the food bank between $10 to $15 to assemble. To ensure accessibility for all, customers are encouraged to pay a minimum of $10 per basket.

The Mobile Food Market remains open to everyone, regardless of income or background. With its new commerce opportunity and continued commitment to affordability and accessibility, the Mobile Food Market is poised to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our community.

Online Ordering (Opens Monday at 12 pm):Click here to pre order your produce basket and pick it up anytime between 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm on Thursdays, at Fiddlesticks Community Centre 71 Cowan Blvd, Cambridge, ON N1T 1K7.  Online ordering closes Wednesdays at 12:00 pm.

Online Pre-Order Pick Up Locations