Our Residents
GoFresh mobile farmer’s market a seasonal hit
When the white GoFresh van pulls up to Springfield Housing Authority’s Saab Court Apartments, residents stream out of buildings, wallets and shopping bags in hand, ready to buy the fresh, locally grown and organic fruits and vegetables that are the hallmark of this Mobile Farmer’s Market.
The same thing happens on a weekly basis at Gentile Apartments, the other SHA stop for the LiveWell Springfield-sponsored traveling market.
They are among nine stops that occur on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through Oct. 31, bringing healthy and inexpensive food to residents who often don’t have an easy way to get to the grocery store, and when they can get there, struggle to afford the prices.
Saab Court resident Kathleen Curley stocks up on fresh produce at the GoFresh Springfield traveling fruit and vegetable stand.
“I always come out,” said Kathleen Curley, a long-time Saab Court resident who bought carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers on a recent stop. The market visits Saab Court on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
“The food is just so fresh, and it’s reasonably priced. Plus that, it’s right here where we live,” she said.
A bonus this year: Shoppers at the GoFresh Mobile Farmer’s Market get double their value – yes, that’s half off the cost – when using their EBT cards.
At Gentile Apartments in the South End section of the city, residents also eagerly await the Thursday afternoon visits on William Street. The market is at Gentile on Thursdays from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.
“Everything is always great,” said Gentile resident Kairy Bualleso, as she loaded applies, carrots and other fresh food into her bag.
Her friend Pauline Ragulina agreed.
“I come out every week for this. It’s fresh food, and it comes right to us,” Ragulina said.
Gentile Apartments resident Paulina Ragulina doesn’t miss a GoFresh Springfield stop.
The GoFresh traveling market is sponsored by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, PeoplesBank, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, Health New England, the Davis Foundation, the STCC Foundation and Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan. Coordinators include the City of Springfield and its Department of Elder Affairs, Concerned Citizens of Mason Square, Partners for a Healthier Community, Gardening the Community, New Lands Farm, Mason Square Health Task Force and Common Capital.
