Akron’s Mayor Shammas Malik was in high spirits last Saturday, Oct. 11, as he, alongside city and national collaborators, slashed the ribbon to welcome the arrival of Summit Fresh Mobile Market. As reported by the City of Akron, Summit Fresh is more than wheels and a tank full of gas – it’s a mobile grocer truck swarming with produce, meats, and everything in between. To put fresh food within arm’s reach of all Akronites, in their own neighborhood.
Earlier in 2025, the City of Akron bagged the first prize loot of $175,000 for the medium city category, courtesy of the Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health & Sustainability Awards − a combined effort by the American Beverage Association (ABA) and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). The grant is fueling the Summit Fresh Mobile Market’s engine to combat food deficits and the assorted health setbacks − obesity, diabetes, and even dips in school performance − dictated by the scarcity of nourishing grub.
The roster of those waving the flag at the opening included Ebony Yeboah-Amankwah, Summit Fresh’s helmsperson, Summit County head honcho Ilene Shapiro, ABA bigwig Bill McManus, not to forget Crystal Swann from the USCM suite. Driving this grocery on-the-go concept from its inception to the green flag were the Summit Fresh Mobile Market’s board members, who revved up their idea and rallied the city into a pilot run using Mahoning County’s own mobile grocery setup…