Mobile Market now accepting SNAP benefits, stops added in Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake

The Mobile Farmers Market will now accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and has added stops at adult centers in Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake.

A program of the Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) and the North Country Healthy Heart Network, the Mobile Market provides access to fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods and a salad bar at community-based stops in Franklin and Clinton counties. The market made its debut in 2018 and has since expanded its stops and offerings.

“From day one, our focus has been on access,” said Richard Lavigne, JCEO’s food services director. “Accepting SNAP benefits means more access to healthy food options for residents of Franklin and Clinton counties.”

“After our first season, we heard calls for more stops, so we’re excited to bring the market to the Tri-Lakes,” said Andrea Goff, Heart Network program coordinator. “We’ll keep assessing the program’s value and make adjustments and improvements to meet the needs of our communities.”

The schedule for Mobile Market Bus #1, which serves fresh veggies, baked goods, and a salad bar and runs through Sept. 27, is as follows:

• Mondays (Malone): Franklin County Courthouse, 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and Citizen Advocates (125 Finney Blvd), 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays (Hogansburg): Akwesasne Housing Authority, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., and Akwesasne Farmer’s Market, noon to 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays (Malone): UVM Alice Center, 10 to 11 a.m., and UVM Alice Hyde Hospital, 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Thursdays (Malone): Franklin County Courthouse, 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and One Work Source, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Fridays (Malone): Social Services, 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Citizen Advocates (125 Finney Blvd), 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.

The Mobile Market Bus #2 runs until Sept. 9. The schedule is:

• Mondays: Saranac Lake Adult Center, 10 a.m. to noon, and Tupper Lake Adult Center, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
• Tuesdays: Intersection of Rt. 37 and 122 (Westville Corners), 10 to 11:45 a.m., and Rainbow Park (Fort Covington), noon to 2 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 1155 County Rt. 25 (Whippleville), 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and the Old Catholic Church (Owl’s Head), 12:30 to 2 p.m.
• Thursdays (Malone): Catherine Street Housing, 10 to 11 a.m., Elm Street Housing, 11:15 a.m. to noon, and Sawyer Street Housing, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
• Fridays: Methodist Church (Lyon Mountain), 10 a.m. to noon, and Four Corners (Brainardsville), 12:15 to 2 p.m.

The Mobile Market is made possible with support from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s SHINE program, and the New York State Department of Health’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program.

For more information about JCEO, visit www.jceo.org.

For more information about the North Country Healthy Heart Network, visit www.heartnetwork.org.

Pictured above: Saranac Lake Adult Center Director Linda Ferraro and JCEO’s Bob King.