Approximately 100 Atlantic City families had their first experience with the new AtlantiCare Community Mobile Market truck this week. The families received a free meal kit, complete with fresh ingredients, recipe and cooking instructions to create a nutritious pasta dinner for 4-6 people.
At the event — held at the AtlantiCare HealthPlex in Atlantic City — CEO & President Michael Charlton and dozens of volunteers from the AtlantiCare team distributed the kits, as well as vouchers to be used for the purchase of meal kits in the future. The AtlantiCare Community Mobile Market truck will be appearing throughout Atlantic City, making complete meal kits with fresh ingredients available to families for just $10.
“No adult or child should live with food insecurity,” Charlton said. “AtlantiCare is proud to bring fresh, nutritious and affordable food to the heart of Atlantic City with our Community Mobile Market. Through strategic initiatives such as this and community engagement, we’re leading the way in eliminating the food deserts that exist in our community. Our mobile market demonstrates AtlantiCare’s commitment to ensuring our community enters — and remains — on a pathway to better health and wellness.”
The AtlantiCare Community Mobile Market truck is supported by a sponsorship from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The sponsorship is part of a $5.5 million NJEDA funding commitment supporting a multifaceted approach to improve and increase access to fresh, healthy and affordable food in Atlantic City — which ranks second-highest in a list of 50 Food Desert Communities in New Jersey.