Social innovation-focused nonprofit About Fresh is spinning off its Fresh Truck program. Operating as an autonomous, independently-managed nonprofit, Fresh Truck will have a greater management focus and strategic autonomy, said About Fresh.
Fresh Truck operates retrofitted school buses and trucks as mobile markets bringing fresh food to neighborhoods across Boston. About Fresh noted that the mobile markets resemble a traditional retail grocery store produce aisle where inventory is sourced fresh each day and customers pick their food and check out at the back of the bus using cash, credit, EBT, and/or Fresh Connect payment cards.
This model allows Fresh Truck to offer a wide, consistent, and year-round variety of fresh, affordable food items for Boston households, said About Fresh.
"Ten years ago, we set out on a simple mission to get healthy food into Boston communities by turning one school bus into a grocery store. Today, we celebrate as Fresh Truck has become a fixture in our communities and a meaningful resource to ensure people have consistent access to healthy food,” said Josh Trautwein, co-founder and CEO of Fresh Truck and About Fresh, in a statement. “As About Fresh continues to expand nationally, Fresh Truck re-assumes its identity as an independent organization, rededicating its commitment to Boston neighborhoods."
The co-founder added that About Fresh is focused on driving impact on a large scale while Fresh Truck operates as a community-based organization.
Seana Weaver will assume the role of executive director of Fresh Truck.
"Fresh Truck is the direct response mobile market that our neighbors need now, with the innovation and flexibility to share resources and impact policy so that we can be a model to improve food access in Greater Boston," said Weaver in a statement.
Image: About Fresh