NCFST Mobile Market
2nd & 4th Thursday of the month | 3-5 pm (Rain or Shine)
350 E. Holding Ave.
The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a pay-what-you-can mobile grocery store on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. (rain or shine). The mobile market is located along South Brooks Street across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave.
The mobile market offers fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale.
How it Works
Ripe for Revival utilizes its network of farmer and food industry relationships to narrow the gap between farm excess and food access.
The organization partners with local farmers to bring their extra produce to communities that need access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
The company purchases “retired” city or school buses, renovates them to include refrigerators and freezers, and transforms them into Mobile Markets that can drive into communities impacted by food insecurity.
Pay What You Can
Open to everyone, the pay-what-you-can Mobile Market aims to make fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all, regardless of their budget.
The Mobile Market posts ‘suggested’ prices on all items on the bus. Once the shopper has gathered the food they want, they will ring up at the register and receive a ‘suggested price.’ If the shopper can afford to pay the full amount they may, if they cannot, they can choose to ‘pay what they can.’
When shopping, there are some limits on the amount of protein, dairy and eggs a consumer can purchase, but no limits on produce.
At checkout, shoppers will be given a suggested total. Shoppers can then pay the full amount, a portion of that amount, or nothing at all.
Both cash and card payments are accepted..
Pricing
Suggested prices for the food featured on the Mobile Markets are subsidized by donations and community partners, and average about 25 percent less than retail grocery store retail prices.
Donations Accepted
FAQs
Who can shop at the Mobile Market?
Everyone! The mobile market has fresh local NC produce.
Where does the food come from?
All food is sourced locally from North Carolina.
How much does it cost?
You pay-what-you-can.
After getting your groceries, proceed to the cashier who will provide the suggested total.
At that point, you can 1) pay the full amount; 2) pay what you can; 3) pay over – pay it forward; or 4) pay nothing.
How often will the mobile market come to Wake Forest?
The mobile market will be parked across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. through December 2026.
What’s the catch?
There is no catch. We are offering our community an opportunity to purchase fresh local produce at a discounted price - or even for free.
What does “Pay-What-You-Can” really mean?
You choose: 1) pay the full amount; 2) pay what you can; 3) pay over – pay it forward; or 4) pay nothing.
The concept is designed to balance all four payment types.
Do you accept WIC, EBT or SNAP?
No we do not. We want individuals or families with these sources to purchase items that they can’t find on the bus like canned goods, condiments, pantry items (rice, pasta, etc.) baby formula, or personal items. The mobile market produce is a way to extend their grocery budget by incorporating fresh foods at a pay-what-you-can model.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash, credit/debit card, and Android/Apple Pay accepted.
No checks accepted.
What happens in the event of inclement weather?
This is a "Rain or Shine" event. If weather becomes more severe, we will post updates to the Town of Wake Forest's website and social media outlets. For more questions, please contact Andrew Brown, Jr. at 919-435-9466.