More Than Fresh Food: Why Emilia Armijo Keeps Coming Back to the Tianguis Móvil

SFFMI: How did you first discover the Tianguis Móvil?

Emilia Armijo: It’s been about the last three or four months that I’ve been going. During the school year, I was taking my grandbabies, Wade and Athena, who are eight and six, and they just love it. They call it “food on wheels.”

I’m a grandma of four. When my grandkids come to my house, I have to have the refrigerator full because by the time they leave, it’s empty. I tell them, “As long as your hands are clean, you can eat anything in the refrigerator.” Wade opens the refrigerator and says, “Oh, nothing but healthy food.” I tell him, “Well, you don’t have to eat it.” And he says, “No, I want some grapes and I want carrots.”

I don’t get a whole lot in food stamps or on EBT, but I save them specifically for the Mobile Market because they go so much further there.

What makes the Mobile Market special for your family?

One time I picked up the kids from school, and they said, “We want to go to the food truck with you.” So we hurried before it left. They didn’t have a whole lot left, but they did have tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers. The kids wanted the little mini cucumbers and they were eating them right there.

We brought everything home, chopped it all up, and the three of us sat down and ate. When we were done, the plate was still full. They were like, “We’re full now.” I said, “But you haven’t eaten.” “All we’ve done is eat!” they said. I was sharing with David [from the Institute] that I felt it was like when Jesus broke the bread and the fish and shared with 5,000 people. There was still so much left on the plate. I was just so grateful.

Later that afternoon the kids finished the tomatoes and cucumbers, and then Wade said, “Remember those pretty potatoes you bought? Can we make those now?” So he helped me cut them up and we fried them. He said, “Those are the most delicious potatoes I’ve ever had.” He couldn’t get enough.

How does the food compare with what you find at the grocery store?

[Our local grocery] used to be a pretty decent place to get fruits and vegetables, but they only last maybe one or two days.

I’ve had oranges that looked delicious, brought them home, and there was actually mold inside. I’ve had apples like that too. I smell everything before I buy it now because of the mold experiences we’ve had. The level of freshness that you get with local food is just different.

Has coming to the Mobile Market changed the way you cook or the way you think about food?

Definitely how I cook. I’ve really learned how to cook better and take better care of myself as far as food goes.

I share what I get. I’ll specifically get peas for my daughter because she loves them. When the okra comes in, I share that with one of my best friends.

They’re not just products. They’re pure love for these farmers—the love they have for their land and for the food that they grow.

What has the voucher program meant to you?

I love that program. That’s one of the main reasons I try to hit the Mobile Market every week because I’m stocking up on honey. I use the vouchers for honey, then spend what I have left on whatever else I need. I always end up leaving with at least $25 or $30 worth of goods.

My grandkids’ mom and dad both have two jobs, so I’m responsible for the kids after school and for feeding them. I won’t do McDonald’s. I won’t do any fast food and they know it. I tell them, “’I’m not gonna buy fake food.”

People often talk about the Mobile Market as a community gathering place. Has that been your experience?

The community aspect is huge, especially when they go to the senior centers. You see these seniors come out, and they’re excited when they see each other. They’re like little kids in line for the truck, saying, “Oh, what’s new today?”

One lady asked me what to do with watermelon radishes. I said, “You can sauté them, or you can just slice them up and literally eat them like an apple.” She said, “Oh, then I’m gonna have to grab some!”

Just sharing little stories and how to eat this stuff—that’s huge for me. And when I see the staff who run the Mobile Market there, I have never once seen them not smiling. They are so sweet to everyone and we really appreciate them.

How is the Mobile Market experience different from shopping somewhere else?

It’s a totally different community shopping experience at the Mobile Market. I overheard one lady say, “Well, I’ll buy these and share them with you.” She was sharing with her neighbor. You won’t get that in a grocery store.

What would you tell someone who’s never visited the Mobile Market?

First, I’d tell them about the vouchers because that’s really important. It’s $20 worth of food they didn’t have. Everything’s fresh. I’ve never seen anything in there that wasn’t.

And if it is [really ripe], the Mobile Market staff will tell you, “You need to use this right away,” or they’ll mark it down so it doesn’t go to waste. They’re really good about making sure everything moves.

When I’m standing in line with people at the senior centers, I tell them, “Tell your friends. Get them over here. That’s free food!” Sure enough, they’ll be on the phone calling their neighbor, and they get excited.

What has the Mobile Market meant to you and what keeps you coming back?

The biggest thing is just knowing that the opportunity is there to have fresh, locally grown food, and the camaraderie with the Mobile Market team that runs it, and with David—they’re just wonderful people.

They’re kind. They’re gracious to every single person. They don’t treat anybody different. They treat us all the same. That’s what keeps me going because I love to see them. I love to say hello.

It feels good to know that community’s out there.

It’s needed. It’s definitely needed.