Residents near Apache Boulevard will have a new affordable shopping option starting March 8 through a partnership with Farm Express intended to help fill a void left by the closing of Food City.

The popular Farm Express Mobile Market will be available every other Tuesday at the Food City parking lot at 1338 E. Apache Blvd. This month, shoppers can visit the market on March 8 and 22, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Tempe purchased the Apache Central Center (previously known as Pollack Apache Center) in 2022, after Food City closed, with plans to add affordable housing and another grocery store in the neighborhood. The mobile market is one step toward helping to meet community needs, said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods.

“Farm Express is well known for offering mobile fresh produce shopping at different locations in Tempe, and we’re excited to add another option on Apache,” Woods said. “We want to create a living and shopping hub at the Apache Central Center site, and while we’re planning for the future, residents can still shop in their neighborhood for fresh fruits and vegetables.”

To kick off the newest location on Apache, the first 40 shoppers on March 8 will receive a $5 coupon to use at the market. All shoppers who visit the market that day will receive two free apples.

The market accepts cash, SNAP or EBT and debit or credit. The market offers a buy one, get one free deal for shoppers using their SNAP/EBT cards: for every dollar spent, shoppers earn another dollar in Double Up Food Bucks to spend on the bus.

Farm Express is a fleet of mobile produce markets that provides healthy, affordable produce to residents with little to no access to healthy food. Farm Express serves individuals, families, school-age children and seniors in Phoenix, Tempe and other Arizona communities.

“The Farm Express mission is simple: ensure communities have access to healthy, affordable produce. We’re grateful to the City of Tempe for partnering with Farm Express to bring our markets to residents who need it most,” said Elyse Guidas, executive director of Activate Food Arizona, which operates Farm Express mobile markets.

The Farm Express Mobile Market is a regular presence in Tempe every other Tuesday. Residents can shop March 8 and 22 at the following locations: 

• Encore on Farmer, 601 S. Farmer Avenue, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Mountain Park Health Center, 1840 E. Broadway Road, 11 a.m. to noon
• Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road, 1 to 2 p.m. 
• Apache Central Center, 1338 E. Apache Boulevard, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.