Garden on the Go is bringing fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods in Marion County, Indiana

Indiana University Health's Garden on the Go is an effort to improve access to affordable fruits and vegetables in "food deserts" throughout Marion County. A "food desert" is defined as "an area that lacks access to affordable, healthy foods."

Their goal is simple: To get more produce into the hands of those without access to convenient and affordable fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that people with greater access to supermarkets or a greater abundance of healthy foods in neighborhood food stores, consume more fresh produce and other healthy items. The healthier eating habits people have now, the less likely chronic diseases will develop over time.

Garden on the Go is part of IU Health's large-scale initiative to fight the obesity epidemic by improving access to healthy foods and safe places for physical activity in high-poverty neighborhoods. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, 29 percent of adolescents and 65 percent of adults in Indiana are obese or overweight.

How It Works: Garden on the Go operates Wednesday – Saturday, year-round, stopping at the same locations and times each week. Green B.E.A.N. Delivery has been contracted to manage the truck operations.

Produce comes from local and regional sources and features a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Note: The ANA is pleased to present a Spring 2012 program, featuring Mari Gallagher, the dynamo who coined the word "Food Desert" to discuss this issue in-depth and how individuals can help.