Virtua Health said it will unveil its latest innovation to improve food access in Camden and Burlington counties, the Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store, later this month.
The health system’s grocery store-on-wheels — created from a donated New Jersey Transit bus — will make its public debut at a socially distant, outdoor event Tuesday.
Virtua officials say the Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store will offer fresh, healthy and culturally relevant foods at below-market prices at senior centers, places of worship, low-income housing complexes and other locations where Virtua’s community partners have identified a need.
Working in tandem with Virtua’s Eat Well Mobile Farmers Market, the Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store will begin serving South Jersey residents later this year.
Virtua CEO Dennis Pullin said that, by creating a reliable and affordable source for nutritious food, Virtua intends to create “communities of wellness” that demonstrate the impact a balanced diet can have on the health of an individual, a family and entire neighborhoods.
“The Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store will provide an enjoyable, inviting shopping experience,” he said. “We believe in this program and its capacity to change lives. In turn, I hope our shoppers feel excitement and pride when they see our mobile store on their street.”
In addition to Virtua leadership and generous donors, confirmed speakers include U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1st Dist.), state Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Moorestown) and NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett will be at the opening. Community partners also are expected to attend and can explain how this program will improve food access in their respective cities and towns.
