New Well Wayne initiative brings affordable fresh produce directly to neighborhoods where healthy food is hardest to access
Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans has announced the launch of the Well Wayne Fresh Truck Mobile Market, an innovative farmers market on wheels designed to increase access to healthy, affordable food for residents across Wayne County.
The launch comes as food insecurity continues to affect families across Wayne County. According to Feeding America’s 2023 Map the Meal Gap, 17.6% of Wayne County residents—nearly one in five people—experience food insecurity. While these are the most recent available estimates, rising grocery costs continue to put added financial strain on many households.
Limited transportation, higher food prices, and other economic barriers can make it difficult to access fresh, healthy food. Nearly 70% of food-insecure Wayne County residents live in households with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, a rate higher than the Michigan average. The Well Wayne Fresh Truck Mobile Market is one strategy to help improve access to affordable, nutritious food in communities where it is needed most.
The Fresh Truck Mobile Market is part of Well Wayne, a multi-million-dollar investment in public health infrastructure led by Executive Evans to improve health outcomes by addressing the social drivers of health through innovative, community-based partnerships.
“These are increasingly uncertain times we are living in for a number of reasons, which means it is incumbent upon those of us who have chosen to be public servants to do whatever we can to take care of those who are less able to fulfill all of their basic needs,” said Warren C. Evans, Wayne County Executive. “This is one Wayne County, and that means we look out for one another.”
Operating as a grocery store on wheels, the Well Wayne Fresh Truck Mobile Market will bring fresh, affordable produce directly to neighborhoods where access is limited. The program accepts SNAP, EBT, Double Up Food Bucks, cash, and credit/debit cards, and will operate year-round across multiple cities.
“Everyone deserves access to healthy food — without needing a car to get it. Our Well Wayne Fresh Truck Mobile Markets are mobile grocery stores bringing fresh fruits and veggies directly to neighborhoods in Wayne County — where access is needed most. We understand that mobility challenges can make it difficult getting to and from the grocery store and cost can also be a barrier.” said Kennyle Johnson, Director, Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services (HHVS).
By addressing transportation and cost barriers, it promotes community health and reduces hunger through convenient, scheduled stops at central community hubs and special events. This initiative will continue serving as a vital connector across Wayne County communities through at least 2027.
“The new Fresh Truck Mobile Market that is being rolled out throughout Wayne County as part of the Well Wayne Fresh Food Access Program will be a vital link for so many individuals and families who are struggling with transportation issues and access to healthy, fresh and affordable food,” commented Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell. “This initiative will go a long way towards helping the community fight hunger, reduce illness and improve overall public health and well-being.”
Recognizing that complex societal challenges require collaborative solutions, Wayne County has partnered with
Eastern Market Partnership to operate the Fresh Truck Mobile Market throughout the county.
“We at Eastern Market Partnership are excited to expand our fresh food access program in partnership with Wayne County. Through the Well Wayne initiative, we will reach each of the 43 communities in the county and offer innovative approaches to expanding access to fresh, affordable, and nutrition-dense produce,” said Katy Trudeau, President and CEO, Eastern Market Partnership.
The Fresh Truck Mobile Market is one component of the Well Wayne Fresh Food Access Program, which seeks
to improve nutrition, reduce hunger, prevent chronic disease, and advance long-term food security through
targeted investments, strategic partnerships, and innovative public health programming.
Initial service locations include:
• Highland Park
• Inkster
• Ecorse
• Wayne
• River Rouge
• Westland
• Hamtramck
• Harper Woods
• Romulus
• Taylor
• Lincoln Park
The program will continue expanding to serve communities across Wayne County, with routes and schedules updated quarterly based on community need and resident feedback. Several soft launches have already generated positive responses from residents, demonstrating the demand for convenient access to fresh, healthy food.
For more information, including locations and schedules, visit