West Maui Mobile Produce Market to Benefit Hungry

Food distribution, photo courtesy Feed My Seep.

By Wendy Osher

An organization that has been feeding Maui’s hungry for over a decade is broadening it’s reach by launching a new mobile produce market to benefit food distribution efforts.

Feed My Sheep will begin selling fresh Upcountry produce at two West Maui locations, with items offered at a 75% discount for those who qualify financially.  Food stamps (SNAP) will be accepted.  All others in the community will also be able to shop at the market, with their purchase directly benefiting the needy on Maui.

Food distribution, photo courtesy Feed My Seep.

The FMS Produce market will begin service on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at:

• Republic Parking lot on the corner of Dickenson and Waihee from 10 a.m. to noon; and at
• Lahaina Christian Fellowship parking lot in Kahana, 4275 Hine Way, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Feed My Sheep is launching the program to make sure that healthy food is available to the poor on Maui at a price they can afford.  Organization leaders say the new service will also enable Feed My Sheep to generate more income to help ensure the continuation of its already established food distribution and mobile programs.

Food distribution, photo courtesy Feed My Seep.

Feed My Seep plans to expand the mobile produce market to other areas on Maui later this year.

The new program is made possible as part of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work Initiative, administered by the state Department of Health, Maui District.

Feed My Sheep currently conducts six mobile food distribution sites on Maui, where trucks are driven into neighborhoods where poverty exists to feed the hungry.  Once on site, groceries are distributed to those in need, and emotional support is offered.

According to the organization website, Feed My Seep gives enough so that each person has enough for a week’s worth of groceries.  Each month, the organization distributes the equivalent of 100,000 half-pound meals.