Orlando nonprofit expands food services through mobile truck program

ORLANDO, Fla. — Leaders with United Against Poverty Orlando are relaunching a mobile truck program that brings fresh groceries to underserved areas.

Executive Director Anjali Vaya said between 550 and 650 people visit the organization’s West Michigan Street facility each day. The nonprofit is relaunching its Mobile Prosperity Project in May, which was first started during the COVID-19 pandemic but stopped after the group lost funding when the pandemic ended.

“Since we had done it in some markets in 2020, we’re relaunching the program,” Vaya said. “But really, we have taken a much deeper dive on to it and to what these areas that are struggling as food deserts need.” Vaya said the organization’s partners made it possible to kick-start the project. They were given $400,000 to purchase two refrigerated trucks, which will allow the organization to bring more than just fresh groceries to different neighborhoods.