The Eco-Friendly Mobile Farm Stand Project

Bob Kopach is the Founder and Executive Director of The Eco-Friendly Mobile Farm Stand Project, a nonprofit on a mission to set up and provide gas-free and emissions-free transportation to organizations that reach out to underserved communities. Bob has dedicated his career to making a positive impact for over thirty years. As a senior executive for various global companies, he spearheaded innovative cause marketing programs that forged partnerships between corporate philanthropy and organizations like The Nature Conservancy, Big Brother Big Sisters, and the Illinois Restaurant Association Education Foundation. While consulting for an electric shuttle company, Bob proposed repurposing street-legal, low-speed electric vehicles into mobile farm stands, which led to the creation of the EFMFSP.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[1:00] Bob Kopach’s transition from the electric vehicle industry to addressing food insecurity
[2:30] The issue of food deserts in low-to-middle-income neighborhoods
[5:23] Benefits of electric mobile farm stands and fresh produce delivery
[6:54] How urban farmers expand their impact through fruit and vegetable donations
[11:29] Bob’s mission for achieving full net-zero sustainability in urban farming.
[12:31] Sustaining the EFMFP grassroots, volunteer-run organization
[19:54] The cost range and coverage for vehicle adoption
[22:37] The significance of community involvement in a project’s success
[24:12] Bob’s advice for leaders in philanthropy

In this episode…

Imagine a bustling city filled with people but lacking fresh, healthy food options. Convenience stores outnumber grocery stores, making nutritious produce a rare luxury. Is there a more effective method to bridge the gap to those in need?

Bob Kopach, an advocate for underserved communities, explores the pressing issue of urban food insecurity and how the Eco-Friendly Mobile Farmstand Project is changing the game. This innovative approach provides food and promotes environmental stewardship through carbon-neutral farming and electric vehicles. Additionally, these mobile farm stands are a vital link between urban growers and community members, turning city corners into hubs of hope and health.

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Bob Kopach, Founder and Executive Director of the Eco-friendly Mobile Farmstand Project, about how electric mobile farm stands are revolutionizing the urban farming approach to food insecurity. Bob articulates the issue of food deserts in low-income neighborhoods, the benefits of electric mobile farm stands and fresh produce delivery, and the significance of community involvement in the project’s success.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Quotable Moments

“Instead of trying to sell these vehicles, let’s put together an organization that will donate the vehicles.”
“So we’re kind of just creating a micro transportation network, an electrified network that can serve small areas and small communities.”
“If we can go from A to B without polluting the air, in this day and age when you know the environment and climate change is so drastic, we feel good about that.”
“Talk to everyone. There’s ideas out there.”

Action Steps

Research and support local urban farming initiatives: Engaging with local urban farms fosters community resilience and directly addresses food insecurity.
Consider adopting or funding a vehicle for a nonprofit: Vehicle adoption can effectively amplify a nonprofit’s reach, offering life-changing services to those in need.
Educate yourself and others about food deserts and food insecurity: Understanding the challenges and the impacting factors empowers individuals to take informed actions and advocate for change.
Promote sustainable transportation solutions within your community: Embracing eco-friendly options like electric vehicles can significantly impact air quality.
Engage with policymakers to advocate for more investment in underserved areas: Advocacy can drive systematic change, improve access to healthy food, and support sustainable urban development.

Sponsor for this episode…

Today’s episode is sponsored by Paul Gregory Media, an 18-year-old digital marketing agency in downtown Naperville, Illinois.

They are one of the few thousand Certified B Corporations worldwide, demonstrating PGM as a leader of a global movement to use business as a force for good, meeting high standards of accountability, transparency, and community involvement. They have been trusted by hundreds of organizations since 2006.

PGM is recognized as one of the top marketing agencies in the region, earning more awards than many of its competitors combined. They have the passion, commitment, and expertise to get it done.

To learn more about the services PGM offers or how they can support you with your marketing needs, visit www.paulgregorymedia.com or email them at [email protected].