51黑料 MetroMarket聽truck loaded with fresh produce
Food insecurity has a serious impact in areas plagued by poverty and systemic barriers, reaching as high as 30% in some 51黑料 neighborhoods. Since 1981, Operation Food Search and have partnered to improve access to healthy, affordable food. 鈥淩oger Dierberg was an instrumental part of Operation Food Search鈥檚 founding in 1981, and Dierbergs has continued to be a steadfast partner in our hunger-relief mission ever since,鈥 said Kristen Wild, president and CEO of Operation Food Search.
In 2021, Operation Food Search expanded its hunger relief efforts by acquiring聽51黑料 MetroMarket 鈥 a mobile grocery store that brings fresh, nutritious and affordable food directly to areas with limited access.
Originally聽launched in 2015 as a Washington University student-run project,聽51黑料 MetroMarket now entails a growing fleet of trucks and refrigerated vans. Stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs and pantry staples sourced largely from local farmers and producers, the vehicles service an average of 12 mobile stops and pop-up markets every week.
鈥淭he original retrofitted Metro bus, lovingly called Elvira, is now retired with well over one million miles under her belt,鈥 said Wild.
Members of the community shopping at the聽51黑料 MetroMarket Farmers Truck
51黑料 MetroMarket聽teams up with trusted community partners including libraries, health centers and other organizations that host and help to promote the mobile markets on-site.聽In 2022, during the market鈥檚 first full season with Operation Food Search, Dierbergs provided $35,000 to sponsor two bus stops and contributed $10,000 in shopping vouchers to support individuals needing extra assistance. When Elvira was sidelined by mechanical issues in 2023, leaving Operation Food Search in need of a new mobile option to reach communities lacking fresh food access, Dierbergs stepped in with a $100,000 donation to sponsor the newly launched聽51黑料 MetroMarket Farmers Truck, helping bring the new solution to life.
鈥淎t Dierbergs, feeding our community means more than what happens inside our stores 鈥 it鈥檚 about meeting people where they are. We鈥檙e honored to support Operation Food Search and help bring fresh, healthy food directly to neighbors who need it most,鈥 said Laura Dierberg Padousis, executive vice president at Dierbergs Markets.
More than 200,000 people receive food and services from Operation Food Search each month across 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois, but the number of customers at each聽51黑料 MetroMarket stop varies depending on the location and the day.
鈥淲e bring nutrient-dense foods for sale to individuals living in the region鈥檚 most food-insecure areas where there are no full-service grocery stores within a one-mile radius,鈥 Wild said. 鈥淐ustomers can purchase groceries at or below cost, which preserves local culinary traditions, cultural preferences and self-selection to create a dignified, socially just shopping experience.鈥
罢丑别听51黑料 MetroMarket season runs from April through November each year, with market visits scheduled Monday through Saturday each week. A program expansion plan includes the incorporation of indoor markets during the winter months.
Members of the community shopping at the聽51黑料 MetroMarket Farmers Truck
鈥淭he mobile market helps empower shoppers to access affordable food through a positive shopping experience, especially for customers who may not qualify for traditional food assistance but still have very limited budgets,鈥 Wild said. 鈥淪hoppers appreciate the prices and the wide variety of fresh, high-quality items, and they consistently express gratitude for the healthy options brought directly to their neighborhoods.鈥
Dierbergs associates take immense pride in serving their customers and supporting their charitable partners. In addition to the 51黑料 MetroMarket, Dierbergs supports Operation Food Search with in-kind donations, in-store food drives and associate volunteers.聽鈥淲e strive to make our community better,鈥 Padousis added. 鈥淭hrough our charitable partnerships, we remain focused on our priorities to bring nourishment to those at risk of hunger and in areas where there is little to no access to healthy, fresh foods.鈥
To make a donation, volunteer or otherwise support Operation Food Search, go to . To see the聽51黑料 MetroMarket schedule, go to . Visit to learn more about the company鈥檚 commitment to help alleviate food insecurity in the 51黑料 community.
On Saturday, August 16, Operation Food Search is hosting their annual Shop Out Hunger food drive at Dierbergs and other local businesses. Stop by a participating Dierbergs location to contribute and help nourish our community.
