A local produce carrier is hoping to redefine the farmers market scene in Lompoc. Route One, a nonprofit that hosts weekly farmers market events in Vandenberg Village, is extending its reach to multiple locations in the Lompoc Valley, thanks to a new custom-designed food truck.
“Getting this truck ready to roll has definitely been a long journey,” said Shelby Wild, executive director of Route One. “We experienced many of the same challenges that any young organization undertaking something new likely does, compounded by the fact that we were tackling this throughout the extreme upheavals that we all experienced these last few years—everything from COVID-related supply chain issues and shipping delays, to cost inflation and issues.”
Route One was founded in 2019 with the goal of increasing Lompoc residents’ access to locally and sustainably grown food while “bridging barriers that hinder our low-income community from shopping at farmers markets,” said Wild, who described the mobile market concept as the “next best step” in the nonprofit’s mission.
The group’s traditional farmers market event, held every Sunday morning in Vandenberg Village, is known as the only farmers market between Solvang and San Luis Obispo that allows customers to pay with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) and through Market Match. Route One will offer the same options during pop-up events facilitated by the new food truck.
“We strongly believe in empowering our community in their ability to purchase fresh, local produce and will continue to work to provide resources that align with those goals,” Wild said. “Very soon, the truck will be able to accept CalFresh/SNAP benefits or EBT—previously known as food stamps—to purchase produce.
“Through our Market Match program, we will be able to double the first $10 of EBT benefits spent,” Wild added. “So, for the first $10 of EBT dollars spent, customers will get an additional $10 to spend on produce, every week.”
The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony in late November to celebrate the launch of Route One’s food truck, which the nonprofit’s organizers plan to take to several areas throughout the Lompoc Valley, although the list of destinations hasn’t been finalized yet. One confirmed location is the Lompoc Health Care Center, Wild said.
“The Lompoc Health Care Center has been an amazing and welcoming partner, and we are looking forward to setting up the mobile market weekly at their clinic, at 301 N. R St.,” Wild said. “We are working with the city of Lompoc to finalize other operation locations throughout the city where we can be most accessible. We plan to set up at or near the Lompoc YMCA weekly, as well as at Food Truck Friday on South I Street every Friday evening.”
Route One was able to commission the custom-designed food truck from scratch, thanks to funding from three regional grants from the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network, the Santa Barbara Foundation, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The state grant was secured by the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization and used to support Route One’s efforts in launching the mobile market.
Wild believes one of the biggest benefits of having a food truck is relieving Route One’s participating farmers of “the extra work and time demands of setting up and selling at a farmers market,” the nonprofit’s executive director said.
Selections from several Central Coast-based vendors are available during Route One’s events, including Dare 2 Dream Farms, Bautista Family Farms, Wolfe Family Farms, and other sellers.
“The truck also expands the amount of hours and locations the food sales are available by physically bringing the food into neighborhoods and locations that don’t have access otherwise for many more hours throughout the week,” Wild added.
“The truck will be stocked with fresh local produce staples that households can rely on for nutritious meals.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood’s favorite mobile is the Batmobile. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 8-15, 2022.