The Rapid & Goodwill to sponsor farmers' market at Central Station

To bring healthy fresh food options to residents in the Grand Rapids downtown area, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapid, Inc. has partnered with The Rapid to sponsor "Fresh on the go Market" every Friday on the east side of The Rapid's Central Station platform.

Located at 250 Grandville Ave. SW, the farmers' market opened last month featuring nearly a dozen booths offering farm-fresh fruits, vegetable and herbs, says Jill Wallace, Goodwill's chief marketing and communication officer.

"It's been well received," says Wallace, citing shoppers living in the Hopson Flats Apartments and the Heartside area in addition to riders using The Rapid's public transportation services. "We're looking in year two at adding additional farmers and to try and grow with our customers' needs and wants."

Fresh on the go Market builds on relationships Goodwill Industries has cultivated with local farmers for many years and is its latest collaboration with The Rapid. Area growers have supplied fresh produce for use at the Crosstown Station & Deli inside the Rapid Central Station managed and operated by Goodwill Industries. It's also the site of one of Goodwill's many training programs assisting with the development of marketable skills for those with disabilities or other barriers to employment.

Area farmers have also supplied fresh food to a restaurant inside downtown's Ferguson Apartments where many Goodwill Industries' clients reside. The restaurant is managed and operated by Goodwill's Hospitality Services division, another training program.

Fresh on the go Market is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will continue operating through October, weather permitting.

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