Apparently, there is such a thing as a free lunch. Indiana University Health’s mobile produce delivery program, Garden on the Go, is approaching its 50,000th customer transaction. To celebrate this milestone, the 50,000th customer will receive one year of free fresh fruits and vegetables. This award will come in the form of 50 weeks of Garden on the Go vouchers worth $7 a piece – the average amount Garden on the Go shoppers spend each week.
“Reaching this milestone of 50,000 customer transactions in less than three years is important to us because it means Garden on the Go has been able to achieve its goal of improving access to affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables for residents in our community who would not have easy access to such healthy foods otherwise,” said Lisa Cole, manager of Indianapolis Community Outreach for IU Health. “As we achieve this milestone, we will begin a new one by expanding service beyond Marion County.”
As it expands, Garden on the Go will begin making weekly stops at the Hendricks County Senior Center on Feb. 19, marking the first time the mobile delivery program has delivered outside of Marion County since its inception in 2011.
Garden on the Go was recently named one of 10 “Programs of Excellence” by the 2014 Hospital Charitable Service awards. Recognized as an innovative model for sustainability and community impact in reaching the underserved, Garden on the Go was awarded a $10,000 prize to continue its work in the community.
It’s estimated that the 50,000th customer transaction will occur during the week of Feb. 17.
