INDIANAPOLIS — Mayor Joe Hogsett joined IndyGo and Growing Places Indy recently to launch the sixth year of Food in Transit, a food access partnership that provides fresh, affordable, and locally grown produce to transit riders at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center, 201 E. Washington Street, every Friday, from 2 to 5 p.m., through the end of September.
All produce will be free, allowing community members to access these healthy food options, regardless of economic status. However, donations will be accepted. The Food in Transit partnership is supported by a $15,000 federal Community Development Block Grant from the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development. This season’s programming expands the City’s partnership by bringing community programming from the Office of Public Health and Safety’s Division of Community Nutrition and Food Policy. The produce and farmstand is provided by Growing Places Indy. Cooking demonstrations, recipes and free, prepackaged ingredients will be provided by OPHS’s food team.
Food in Transit is one of three initiatives offered under the IndyGo Cares community outreach programming. Wellness in Transit provides free healthcare services, including rapid testing and treatment for STDs, HIV, and Hepatitis C and resources for mental health and housing instability. No health insurance or ID is required. Music in Transit is an award-winning concert web series that showcases local artists from a wide range of genres performing on local transit, including music from this year’s newest partner, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Cooking demonstrations and the distribution of bags of free, prepackaged ingredients to cook a healthy meal will take place on the third Friday of each month. Riders can utilize IndyGo’s online trip planner at indygo.net to plan trips to the Carson Transit Center.
