Here at the Dr. Yum Project, we believe healthy eating should be accessible, enjoyable, and practical for all families. For over a decade, we’ve worked to break down the barriers to healthy eating by providing families, educators, and healthcare professionals with research-backed nutrition education and hands-on experiences.

From Dr. Yum's Food Adventure, which helps young children explore new foods in a fun, pressure-free way, to our free online resources, which provide simple, healthy recipes and meal-planning tools, everything we do is aimed at making fresh, nutritious food a reality for families everywhere.

But education alone isn’t enough—families need access to fresh, healthy food.

That’s why we are thrilled to partner with The Farmers’ Truck, an organization that has pioneered the mobile market model to bring fresh, local food directly into communities that need it most. Through this partnership, we are combining two critical solutions:

🥦 The Farmers’ Truck ensures families have access to fresh produce through mobile markets.

🥦 The Dr. Yum Project provides education on how to make the most of that fresh food, helping families develop a practicing mindset and lifelong healthy habits.

By working together, we can ensure that healthy eating is not only accessible but also sustainable, empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need to make fresh food a regular part of their lives.

The Intersection of Nutrition Education & Fresh Food Access

One of the biggest challenges to improving childhood nutrition isn’t just getting kids to eat better—it’s making sure families have consistent access to fresh, healthy food.

Many of the families we serve live in food deserts, where grocery stores are scarce, fresh produce is expensive, and processed foods are often the easiest option. This reliance on ultra-processed foods has long-term consequences:

→ Higher rates of childhood obesity

→ Increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease

→ Poor cognitive development and lower school performance

For neurodivergent children, these challenges can be even greater. Picky eating and sensory sensitivities often make it difficult for children to accept new foods, and the lack of healthy options only reinforces their limited food preferences.

During the pandemic, these challenges intensified. With fewer opportunities to see, smell, and taste new foods outside the home, many children developed stronger preferences for processed foods—contributing to an alarming rise in food waste among young children.

At the Dr. Yum Project, we’ve seen firsthand how hands-on food experiences can transform eating habits. Dr. Yum's Food Adventure is designed to help children—including those who are neurodivergent—explore new foods in a positive, pressure-free way. By introducing fresh ingredients in an engaging, sensory-friendly manner, we help kids expand their palates in a way that respects their comfort and autonomy.

Now, with mobile markets bringing more fresh produce directly into communities, families have more opportunities to reinforce these experiences at home—making it easier for children to explore new foods at their own pace.

Why Mobile Markets Are a Game-Changer for Families

Traditional grocery stores and food banks play a vital role in food distribution, but they don’t always meet families where they are. Many parents face obstacles that make accessing fresh food difficult, including:

→ Transportation Barriers – Many low-income families do not have reliable access to a car or public transportation to reach grocery stores.

→ Time Constraints – Parents juggling multiple jobs and responsibilities often do not have time to travel long distances for fresh food.

→ Limited Budgets – Many families rely on food assistance programs, but finding affordable, fresh options can be a challenge.

That’s why mobile markets are such a powerful solution. Mobile markets eliminate many of the barriers that prevent families from accessing healthy food by bringing fresh, locally sourced produce directly into communities.

With over 53 mobile markets launched in 26 states, The Farmers’ Truck is helping organizations across the country create customized, sustainable solutions that make fresh food accessible, affordable, and convenient.

By working together, the Dr. Yum Project and The Farmers’ Truck are ensuring families don’t just have access to healthy food—but also the knowledge and skills to make the most of it.

Webinar: Beyond Picky Eating – The Role of Fresh Food Education

To continue this important conversation, join us on April 8th at 12 PM EST for an insightful conversation with Dr. Nimali Fernando (Dr. Yum), a board-certified pediatrician and founder of the Dr. Yum Project. Hosted by Fred Laforge, Founder of The Farmers’ Truck, this webinar will dive into the intersection of fresh food education, nutrition access, and child development.

What We’ll Cover:

🥕 Why some kids struggle with new foods and how to support them

🥕 The impact of processed foods on childhood health and development

🥕 Creating sensory-friendly experiences in mobile markets to encourage healthier eating

🥕 Practical strategies for building better food habits in kids

🥕 How food banks, schools, and nonprofits can integrate nutrition education and reduce food waste

This session is perfect for food banks, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders looking to enhance food access and nutrition education in their programs.

Let’s work together to make fresh food a part of every child’s life.

📅 Register now to join the conversation!