Check out this great write up featuring Louisiana’s newest Nutrition on Wheels (NOW) food truck, serving Central LA. The truck opened for business in Oberlin on Wednesday, offering taste samples of steaming ratatouille (along with the recipe and a bag filled with all the makings). Read more about this amazing Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana supported project below, from our friends at KALB News in Alexandria:
The Food Bank of Central Louisiana unveiled its new Nutrition on Wheels truck.
It is part of the Local Foods Initiative, which is led by the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.
The goal of the program is to promote healthy living and healthy diet across Central Louisiana.
The food bank will use the truck not only to deliver produce to local residents, but also to educate local residents receiving the food on how to prepare healthier alternatives.
“It’s a huge step forward,” said Jayne Wright-Velez, executive director of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana.
The funding for the truck and its accessories came from both the Rapides Foundation and the Blue Cross of Louisiana Foundation.
“Blue Cross foundation felt it was important to launch the challenge for a healthier Louisiana across the state to help people move towards healthier eating and active living,” said Lydia Martin, who is a representative from the organization.
The Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance says that this program could also help local farmers.
“The food bank is going to be buying vegetables from our local farmers and what we found is that the demand for local vegetables is rapidly out-stripping the supply,” said Gary Perkins, who is with CLEDA. “We need more people that are interested in raising vegetables.”
The Food Bank of Central Louisiana already has eight different distribution sites each month, serving more than 600 households across the area.