Archived Veggie Van Training Center Newsletters

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July 2022 Newsletter

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Happy July, mobile market friends! We hope you all are having a nourishing and fruitful summer. The growth of this community has been rapid and with that comes the need for expanded resources, networks, and support. The USDA funding our team received will allow us to work with mobile market leaders across the U.S. to formalize the Mobile Market Coalition to better connect and support mobile market operators, while establishing standards of operation and promoting best practices. This funding will also support the expansion of the Veggie Van Training Center to provide resources and training. Our goal is to help markets become more effective and sustainable so they can have greater impact in their communities. Some of the MMC and VVTC initiatives you can look forward to include: Mobile Market Coalition Strategic Plan & Charter Comprehensive Map & Database of Mobile Markets Mobile Market Social and Economic Impact Report 2023 Mobile Market Summit Planning Expanded Training & Technical Assistance Veggie Van Toolkit Improvements We're excited to support and share this work with our mobile market community! -The Veggie Van team Veggie Van Toolkit Feature: Vehicles & Equipment  As a part of our ongoing effort to expand the free resources of the Veggie Van Toolkit, we'll be releasing regular content updates. This month, we have published an update of the Vehicles and Equipment section, complete with sample pricing, case studies from experienced operators, and recommendations if you plan to acquire a new vehicle or retrofit one. Check it out here!  **Note: If visiting the toolkit for the first time, complete this brief survey to get the Veggie Van Toolkit password - this helps us track usage of this free content.  Also new to the Veggie Van Toolkit is a guide for mobile markets to apply to become a SNAP Authorized Retailer. Visit the Pricing Toolkit Page to download the SNAP Retailer Guide.   Social Media & Communications will be featured in the next Newsletter – Do you have an innovative, effective, or unique marketing/social media strategy or tips you want to share with the community?  Reach out so we can showcase your work and help other markets!  [email protected] July Vehicle Webinar:  July 29th at 1:00-2:00 EST Are you considering searching for a new mobile market vehicle, or shopping for the first time? In concert with the Veggie Van Toolkit update, the Veggie Van Training Center is hosting a webinar with seasoned mobile market operators to discuss their vehicle and equipment experiences and recommendations. Our panel will include Glen Providence from Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Ellen Olack from Fresh Approach, and Megan Marshall from Project Grows. Join us on Friday, July 29th at 1:00-2:00 EST as we take a dive deep into mobile market vehicle selection, retrofit, and equipment selection. Save this link  https://buffalo.zoom.us/j/95932079799  or click here to add this event to your calendar Other Resources & Events Get ready to celebrate National Farmers Market Week with the Farmers Market Coalition August 7th-13th. Planning for the 2023 Mobile Market Summit is just getting started. Are you interested in joining the planning team to help make programming and other decisions? If so, email Sam Lev at [email protected] to learn more. The Veggie Van Training Center (VVTC) supports local and regional food systems by helping to start, expand, and improve mobile produce market programs and provides training, reporting, and evaluation for organizations and professionals working to launch and/or expand a mobile market or other food access program. The center is run by the Community Health Intervention Lab (CHIL) within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions. Copyright © 2022 Veggie Van, All rights reserved. You are receiving this e-mail because you are one of our partners or you expressed interest in receiving updates from us and partner organizations. Veggie Van Training Center Department of Community Health and Health Behavior 333 Kimball Tower, South Campus University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 14214-8028 [email protected]  Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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November 2022 Newsletter

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Save the Date We're excited to announce the 2023 Mobile Market Summit, and we're leaving Buffalo, NY for the first time! Please save March 13-14 for our 5th annual Mobile Market Summit in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Mobile Market Summit is a convening built for those operating or planning to open mobile produce markets, as well as researchers, funders, and supporters of mobile market work. Click the button below to keep an eye out for regular updates as we build the agenda, open registration, and more. Mobile Market Summit 2023 Call for session proposals Along with bringing in inspiring speakers from around the food system, we love including mobile market experts as presenters. Have an idea that you are interested in presenting at the Mobile Market Summit? Click the button below and fill out our brief form. We are particularly interested in presentations on the following: innovative fundraising examples, new market models and programs, data gathering and reporting, working in local agriculture, and more. Submit a Session Proposal Veggie Van Toolkit Update: Social Media Marketing As a part of our ongoing effort to expand the free resources of the Veggie Van Toolkit, we release regular content updates. This month, we have published a new section on social media marketing, complete with ways to connect with your audience, tips for making a social media plan, case studies, and a gallery of sample social media posts from partner organizations. Check it out here! Do you have a topic you'd like to see covered or expanded in the Veggie Van Toolkit? Email [email protected] and let us know.   **Note: If visiting the Toolkit for the first time, complete this brief survey to get the Veggie Van Toolkit password. The Veggie Van Training Center (VVTC) supports local and regional food systems by helping to start, expand, and improve mobile produce market programs and provides training, reporting, and evaluation for organizations and professionals working to launch and/or expand a mobile market or other food access program. The center is run by the Community Health Intervention Lab (CHIL) within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.

January 2023 Newsletter

Join us in Chapel Hill, NC!

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.     Click here to learn more and register   The Mobile Market Summit is a convening built for those operating or planning to open mobile produce markets, as well as researchers, funders, and supporters of mobile market work. Join us March 13th-14th, 2024 in Chapel Hill, NC!   Highlights of this year's Summit will include: Mobile Market Rodeo Procurement/Local Food Sourcing Mobile Markets and Brick-and-Mortar Retail Fundraising and Storytelling Evaluation and Current Research Mobile Market Innovations So Much More! The Veggie Van Training Center (VVTC) supports local and regional food systems by helping to start, expand, and improve mobile produce market programs and provides training, reporting, and evaluation for organizations and professionals working to launch and/or expand a mobile market or other food access program. The center is run by the Community Health Intervention Lab (CHIL) within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.   If you wish to no longer receive any communication from the Veggie Van Training Center, you can unsubscribe below. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.

February 2023 Newsletter

Join us in Chapel Hill, NC.

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Last chance for Early Bird pricing, call for Poster abstracts, Keynote Speaker announcement, and more Mobile Market Summit news! Early Bird Pricing for Registration ends February 13th! Don't miss the discounted rate to join us in Chapel Hill, NC March 13th -14th, 2023    Register Today Presentations Have an idea that you would like to present at Summit? Click here and fill out our form! We are particularly interested in presentations on the following: innovative fundraising examples, new market models and programs, data gathering and reporting, working in local agriculture, and more.  We are accepting submissions until February 13th! Poster Session   New for this year, we would like to feature research and mobile market work being done by attendees in a poster session. If you have interesting research (methods and preliminary findings accepted) or innovative ideas from your mobile market operations that you would like to share with other mobile market practitioners, please consider submitting an abstract for submission. Examples of non-research poster ideas could include successful community engagement strategies, innovative pricing models, Veggie Rx programs; etc. If interested, click here to be taken to our website for more information. Abstracts are due by February 17th, 2023! We are very excited to announce our Keynote Speaker: Erin White Erin is a native of North Carolina, a designer, entrepreneur, and teacher working for healthy food systems. His keynote address is titled "On Innovation, Creativity, and Thinking Big: Design thinking habits and the massive complexity of community food security." Click Speakers on our website to read the full session description Want to learn more about the 2023 Mobile Market Summit? Check out our website below for more information including costs, schedule, agenda, speaker biographies and much more!   Click Here The Veggie Van Training Center (VVTC) supports local and regional food systems by helping to start, expand, and improve mobile produce market programs and provides training, reporting, and evaluation for organizations and professionals working to launch and/or expand a mobile market or other food access program. The center is run by the Community Health Intervention Lab (CHIL) within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.   If you wish to no longer receive any communication from the Veggie Van Training Center, please unsubscribe below. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.

2022 Survey Announcement Newsletter

Registered for 2023 Mobile Market Summit yet?

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. The 2022 National Mobile Market Survey is now OPEN! Do you currently – or are you planning to – operate a mobile produce market? We want to hear from you! The National Mobile Market Survey, developed by the Veggie Van Training Center and Mobile Market Coalition, is an annual survey that provides national data on the economic growth, activities, opportunities, and challenges of mobile markets. The survey will take less than 20 minutes to complete. Sharing your voice in the National Mobile Market survey is time well spent! Your responses will help us better capture the current number of mobile markets operating and will tell a story of how you’ve met the food access needs of your community. When combined with stories of other mobile markets across the country, this survey becomes a powerful tool that shapes how resources are distributed by funders, investors, and government decision makers. Thank you for helping us gather this information to better serve you and your mobile markets colleagues nationwide – data will inform a National Mobile Market Impact Report that can be used to support operations, grant writing, and advocacy efforts. We can’t wait to hear from you! Begin Survey For completing, you will be entered into a raffle to win 1 of 6 $100 visa gift cards - the sooner you complete, the greater chance you have to win!  Have you registered yet for the 2023 Mobile Market Summit?  Join us in Chapel Hill, NC March 13th - 14th 2023! Click here to register today Want to learn more about the 2023 Mobile Market Summit? Check out our website below for more information including costs, schedule, agenda, speaker biographies and much more!   Click Here The Veggie Van Training Center (VVTC) supports local and regional food systems by helping to start, expand, and improve mobile produce market programs and provides training, reporting, and evaluation for organizations and professionals working to launch and/or expand a mobile market or other food access program. The center is run by the Community Health Intervention Lab (CHIL) within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.   If you wish to no longer receive any communication from the Veggie Van Training Center, please unsubscribe below. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.

2022 Survey Announcement Reminder Newsletter

Winners announced!

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.  2022 National Mobile Market Survey is still open - have your voice heard! Congrats to our winners who will receive $100 for completing the survey: Kelsey from Gorge Grown Food Network, Nicole from Eastern Market, & Deborah from Common Ground. Thank you so much!  Do you currently – or are you planning to – operate a mobile produce market? We want to hear from you! The National Mobile Market Survey is an annual survey that provides national data on the economic growth, activities, opportunities, and challenges of mobile markets. The survey will take less than 30 minutes to complete. Sharing your voice in the National Mobile Market survey is time well spent! Your responses will help better capture the current number of mobile markets operating and will tell a story of how you’ve met the food access needs of your community. When combined with stories of other markets across the country, this survey becomes a powerful tool that shapes how resources are distributed by funders, investors, and government decision makers. Thank you for helping us gather this information to better serve you and your mobile markets colleagues nationwide – data will inform a National Mobile Market Impact Report that can be used to support operations, grant writing, and advocacy efforts. We can’t wait to hear from you! Begin Survey For completing, you will be entered into a raffle to win 1 of 6 $100 visa gift cards - the sooner you complete, the greater chance you have to win!  There's still time to register Click here!! Join us in Chapel Hill, NC March 13th - 14th 2023!   Want to learn more about the 2023 Mobile Market Summit? Check out our website below for more information including costs, schedule, agenda, speaker biographies and much more!   Click Here The Veggie Van Training Center (VVTC) supports local and regional food systems by helping to start, expand, and improve mobile produce market programs and provides training, reporting, and evaluation for organizations and professionals working to launch and/or expand a mobile market or other food access program. The center is run by the Community Health Intervention Lab (CHIL) within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.

May 2023 Newsletter

Learn more about grants and fundraising.

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Check out our new Toolkit update, upcoming webinar information about the Mobile Market Coalition, and more! Veggie Van Toolkit Update Grants and Fundraising We are pleased to announce the latest update to the Veggie Van Toolkit, covering Grants & Fundraising. Click here to review the new pages, aimed at helping you create successful fundraising strategies, search for new grant opportunities, and learn what other mobile markets commonly fundraise for. If you're new to the Veggie Van Toolkit, click the button below to sign up   Access the Toolkit here Upcoming Grants & Fundraising Webinar: Friday, May 26th 12:00pm Building upon the recent Veggie Van Toolkit update on Grants & Fundraising, this webinar will expand on real-world applications of fundraising techniques and practices in order to launch, sustain, or expand a mobile market operation. Topics will include relationship building with funders, making the case for your mobile market, grants and sources for funding commonly utilized by mobile markets, and reserve plenty of time for your questions. Featured presenters are Pam Hess, Executive Director of Arcadia Mobile Market and Ebonee Bailey, Executive Director of The Bulb Gallery   This webinar will be helpful for those planning new mobile markets as well as experienced operators and development staff, as well as mobile markets with paid and donation-based models. Registration is free but RSVP is required by clicking the button below.    Register here Thank you for joining us! There was so much to love about the 2023 Mobile Market Summit. We loved exploring the amazing work of our mobile market friends highlighted in the energetic Brag Bash, the innovative discussions on vehicle design and construction, and talking about building regional resilience.  We were proud to highlight North Carolina and Virginia partners in the Mobile Market Rodeo and various sessions, as well as supporting local farmers and artisans through our meals and attendee gifts.  Our team provided updates for the Mobile Market Coalition, which is wrapping up our strategic planning and ready to build regional networks, technical assistance opportunities, and more. Want to be involved in our Committees or Advisory Board? Email us at [email protected].  Thank you to the 169 in person and virtual attendees (representing 33 states!) plus 46 presenters for sharing, inspiring, leading, and learning together. We can't wait for the next one! The Veggie Van Training Center (VVTC) supports local and regional food systems by helping to start, expand, and improve mobile produce market programs and provides training, reporting, and evaluation for organizations and professionals working to launch and/or expand a mobile market or other food access program. The center is run by the Community Health Intervention Lab (CHIL) within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.   If you wish to no longer receive any communication from the Veggie Van Training Center, please unsubscribe below. This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.

July 2023 Newsletter

Learn more about texting services and community engagement.

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Check out our new Veggie Van Toolkit update, upcoming Community Engagement webinar, job postings and more! Join our Team We are looking for a Communications & Outreach Coordinator that would implement comprehensive outreach strategies to amplify the initiatives of the Mobile Market Coalition, develop the University at Buffalo campus-based mobile market, and provide technical assistance.  Ideally, this position would be filled by one full-time person, based in Buffalo, NY but we are open to bringing in 2 part-time individuals. Click here to find full position descriptions: https://www.myveggievan.org/join-us.html   Veggie Van Toolkit Updates Texting Services and Reminders We are pleased to announce the latest update to the Veggie Van Toolkit, covering Texting Services.  Providing text message communication to your mobile market customers can allow for reminders and information in real-time to ensure the success of your market operation. This update features case studies from Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) and Feast Down East (FDE)! Click here to check it out!   Community Engagement We've revamped our resources to help you connect with your community as you plan or expand your mobile market. Mobile Market operators utilize these tools to better understand the needs of their community, build a sustainable market model, and keep their community informed of available resources. This new Toolkit page includes strategy guides, survey and interview templates, and much more to assist your Community Engagement activities. Click here to check it out!    If you're new to the Veggie Van Toolkit, click the button below to sign up.   Access the Toolkit here Upcoming Webinar: Community Engagement This webinar, held on Thursday, July 27th at 1-2PM ET, will dig deeper into the newly-released Community Engagement resources in the Veggie Van Toolkit, as well as offer real-world examples of such activities, their outcomes, and tips to ensure success. This webinar will be helpful for those planning a new mobile market as well as those seeking input from their community as they expand and/or improve their services. Presenters will include Dr. Christina Kasprzak, Postdoctoral Associate at the University at Buffalo, and Roberta Cosentino, Co-Founder of The Best Route.   This event is free, but registration is required. Registration closes Wednesday 7/26 at midnight. If you cannot make the live event, you are invited to register and you will be emailed the recording at a later date.    Register here The Mobile Market Coalition (MMC) supports both national and regional efforts to advance mobile produce markets as essential infrastructure for a responsive and resilient food system in which everyone has access to healthy food. We support organizations interested in starting or expanding mobile market programs by providing technical assistance, fostering collaboration, advancing research, and supporting advocacy initiatives.  The MMC is based at the Community Health Intervention Lab at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.  You can reach out as [email protected] This email was sent to {{Recipient Email}}. Click here to unsubscribe.