Meeting the Need in Lynn

The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) recently launched its largest free produce Mobile Market yet— delivering fresh fruits and vegetables to nearly 2,000 people—with its newest partner, Lynn Community Health Center (Lynn CHC).

“There is a tremendous need here,” said Cynthia Steger-Wilson, marketing and communications director at Lynn CHC. “It became apparent when we had 500 people pre-register for the market in one week.”

This is the sixth Mobile Market GBFB has established at a healthcare center through its health and research program. The monthly distributions provide each participant with 25-30 pounds of free, fresh produce.

Elizabeth Quinn, M.D., a Lynn CHC family physician, was instrumental in bringing the Mobile Market to the healthcare center, having previously worked at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, another GBFB Mobile Market partner.

“I expected there would be a similar set of problems here in Lynn,” Quinn said.

Medical research shows that adults struggling with food insecurity are more likely to report poor physical and mental health, and have higher risks for chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and depression.

“In terms of providing healthcare, we want people to have more vegetables, because that helps,” Quinn said. “But I also care about the priorities of the patients, and access to food is often one of their top priorities.”