DADE CITY – AdventHealth has formed a new partnership with Access to Fresh with the launch of the group’s new mobile market trailer, the Bounty Bus.
Access to Fresh works to improve food access in underserved communities. Last year, Access to Fresh supported a variety of initiatives, providing seniors, students and food pantries with fresh produce.
The partnership between AdventHealth and Access to Fresh aims to double the organization’s impact in providing fresh, locally sourced produce to families in need.
“Our multi-year partnership with AdventHealth allows us to deliver fresh produce and nutrition education directly into underserved communities, strengthening local resilience and building a healthier food system from the ground up,” said Nichole Dube, co-founder of Access to Fresh.
Dube is also behind Dube’s Mobile Market and Dube’s Farm and Market in Wesley Chapel, which has helped support AdventHealth’s Food is Health Program in counties across AdventHealth’s West Florida Division for the past five years.
“Through this new partnership with Access to Fresh as well as our Food is Health program, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities by increasing access to nutritious food options,” said Dean Whaley, executive director of strategic partnerships and community engagement for AdventHealth West Florida Division.
A ribbon cutting for the Bounty Bus was held June 11 at the Lewis Abraham Lacoochee Boys & Girls Club.
The event featured fresh fruit and vegetable tastings for children, an exercise demonstration and information about Access to Fresh’s summer nutrition program.
“We are so excited to be selected as the first stop of the Bounty Bus,” said Eunique Byrd, Lacoochee Club director. “Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay serves 425,000 meals to youth annually, but we know there is still a huge need for fresh, nutritious food in the homes of many families we serve. The work that Bounty Bus and Access to Fresh do in the community is essential in ensuring that youth meet nutritional needs.”
