Donna Neuwirth calls them food deserts – areas that lack access to healthy, fresh food.
She is executive director of Sauk County-based Wormfarm Institute, a nonprofit whose mission marries two goals seldom combined: building a sustainable future for agriculture and for the arts. She spearheaded efforts to create an artfully designed mobile farm stand stocked with local produce to replenish those food deserts.
“The roadside stand, a much-beloved cultural icon, emerged as the perfect vehicle to highlight the work of both farmers and artists,” Neuwirth says. This summer, two mobile stands will pop up in rural Sauk and Iowa counties, and two others in two Milwaukee neighborhoods: Riverwest (on Humboldt and Locust streets) and Walnut Hill (34th Street and Lisbon Avenue).
Wormfarm tested the concept last summer, with a stand designed by Mineral Point artist Peter Flanary. The test was a success, and with funding primarily from the Wisconsin Arts Board, Wormfarm began accepting proposals for the design of three additional carts for 2010. Proposals were judged on artistic excellence, innovation and spirit of community collaboration.
Designers of the Lisbon Avenue stand include Jeffrey Folstad of Solid State Architecture, Ryan Foat of Oxbow Studio and Chet Rosales of Laorosa. Their modern yet rustic stand of aluminum and red-stained wood was, their proposal notes, inspired by “family heritage, work ethic, rich textures, durable materials and respect for the land.” Starting in July, the stand can be found next to Amaranth Bakery and Café.
David Boucher, Amaranth’s owner, is eager to see the neighborhood become less of a food desert: “Reintroducing fresh produce to this community will certainly be welcomed.”
Although only about a mile away from the Fondy Farmers Market, Boucher says the area has lost three grocery stores, and finding food that’s fresh, local and organic can be a challenge.
The stands will return each summer for at least five years, with another four being added in 2011. But Neuwirth says she has far bigger dreams: “We hope to realize dozens of these all over the Midwest.”
