Mattapan Mobile
Farm Stand
Mattapan, Boston, MA
Public Art Installation
Completion: 2012
Project Overview
Project Team
Hansy Better Barraza
Anthony J. Piermarini
Chris Bull
Mykel Terada
John DiSalvo
Kristen Zeiber
Nick Polansky
Eugenia Yu
Loren Howard
Bike Consultant
Arc-En-Ciel Studio
Metro Pedal Power
Structural Engineer
Structures Workshop
Steel Fabricator
Trimount Ironworks
Photography
John Horner
ADVOCACY VIA DESIGN
ACCESS & MOBILITY
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
PARTNERSHIPS AT WORK
BR+A+CE, MFFC, AND THE VIGOROUS YOUTH
About the Mobile Farm Stand
ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY
The correlation between high rates of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes within neighborhoods experiencing inadequate access to sources of fresh food is well documented. The Mattapan Mobile Farm Stand confronted this problem with an innovative and creative solution: if people cannot get to fresh food, fresh food should be brought to them. BR+A+CE collaborated with local health advocacy group Mattapan Food & Fitness Coalition (MFFC) and Brookwood Community Farm to design a pedal-powered mobile farm stand for one of Boston’s most diverse neighborhoods. The stand brought food to central gathering places such as the local public transit hub, a senior residence, and the basketball court. This strategy simultaneously increased the accessibility of fresh produce while also elevating the issue of food insecurity for the city of Boston. BR+A+CE supplied technical and design expertise, organized the fundraising effort, and constructed the human-powered mobile installation. The MFFC and its youth arm, the Vigorous Youth, operated the mobile farm stand.
BR+A+CE: Building Research + Architecture + Community Exchange is a 501(c)3 non-profit community organization co-founded by the Principals of Studio Luz Architects.
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