Skip to main content

NCFST Mobile Market 2026 2nd Thursday

Date: Thu, Nov 12, 2026

Time: Thurs., 3-4:30pm

Venue: Across from the Northern Regional Center, Wake Forest

Price: pay-what-you-can scale.

Category: Family

The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a mobile grocery store. The mobile market offers fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale. Ripe for Revival utilizes its network of farmer and food industry relationships to narrow the gap between farm excess and food access. The organization partners with local farmers to bring their extra produce to communities that need access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The company purchases “retired” city or school buses, renovates them to include refrigerators and freezers, and transforms them into Mobile Markets that can drive into communities impacted by food insecurity. Open to everyone, the pay-what-you-can Mobile Market aims to make fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all, regardless of their budget. The Mobile Market posts ‘suggested’ prices on all items on the bus. Once the shopper has gathered the food they want, they will ring up at the register and receive a ‘suggested price.’ If the shopper can afford to pay the full amount they may, if they cannot, they can choose to ‘pay what they can.’ When shopping, there are some limits on the amount of protein, dairy and eggs a consumer can purchase, but no limits on produce. At checkout, shoppers will be given a suggested total. Shoppers can then pay the full amount, a portion of that amount, or nothing at all. Both cash and card payments are accepted, along with Android/Apple Pay. Suggested prices for the food featured on the Mobile Markets are subsidized by donations and community partners, and average about 25 percent less than retail grocery store retail prices.

Family · Wake Forest

NCFST Mobile Market 2026 2nd Thursday

“You can pay with cash, card, or Apple Pay at checkout.”

When
Nov 12
Thu, Nov 12, 2026
Thurs., 3-4:30pm
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
pay-what-you-can scale.
raleighfamily friendly

The NCFST Mobile Market is a community grocery initiative that brings fresh, locally sourced food to Wake Forest inside a renovated school bus. Operating on a pay-what-you-can model, this partnership between the Northern Community Food Security Team and Ripe for Revival makes fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy accessible to everyone. The market is open to all residents, and there are no income requirements to shop. Because the market operates out of a customized bus with built-in refrigerators and freezers, space inside is limited, so bringing a sturdy reusable shopping bag is highly recommended. This afternoon stop is a practical weekday outing that fits easily into your school pick-up routine. It offers a tangible way to support regional farmers while teaching children about community food sharing and sustainable agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do the groceries cost at the mobile market?
The market operates on a pay-what-you-can scale, meaning you pay what you are able to afford for the produce, meat, and dairy items you select.

Last updated

Organizing a family event in the Triangle? List it free

pay-what-you-can scale.

Nov 12

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

NCFST Mobile Market 2026 2nd Thursday runs Thu, Nov 12, 2026, Thurs., 3-4:30pm. It repeats every other Thursday.

Getting There

Across from the Northern Regional Center is at 350 East Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at Across from the Northern Regional Center →

What to Bring

  • Tickets or entry money — admission is pay-what-you-can scale.

Family Guides

All guides →