My Street Grocery teaming with Central City Concern

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My Street Grocery is teaming with Central City Concern to bring healthy food to a population transitioning from homelessness. 

My Street Grocery, the mobile food startup targeting low-income neighborhoods, has struck a deal to bring food to Central City Concern's affordable housing buildings which cater to people working to overcome poverty.

The pilot program, which will launch next week, will bring the My Streeet Grocery mobile food market to a parking garage on Northwest Broadway and Couch Streets in Portland's Old Town neighborhood. The location is near the the majority of nonprofit Central City Concern's buildings, which have 1,600 units.

"Poverty contributes greatly to poor health," said Ed Blackburn, Central City's executive director, in a press release. "Healthy nutrition is a significant factor in supporting the wellbeing of our clients, especially those dealing with chronic conditions such as pain, depression and diabetes."

My Street Grocery, which launched its pop-up market business earlier this year after a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign, sells fresh seasonal produce, staple grocery items and kits that the company has developed to help people make easy, healthy meals.

Central City Concern is focused on services that aim to end homelessness which include housing, health care, employment and peer support.

The two groups connected through their involvement in the Portland State University Social Innovation Incubator.

"Central City Concern's mission to provide clients with pathways to self-sufficiency marries perfectly with our goals," said Amelia Pape, a PSU MBA graduate and co-founder of My Street, in a press release. "We see a unique opportunity to deepen our community impact through this collaboration."