Mercy Care awards $450K in community reinvestment grant to Activate Food Arizona

Staff Writer | Volunteer Zone

Mercy Care has awarded Activate Food Arizona a 2025 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant totaling $450,000.

The grant will support the Farm Express Mobile Market program, a fleet of mobile produce markets that sell fruits and vegetables in communities with limited access to healthy food. Farm Express has operated since 2014 and serves communities throughout Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix, with markets selling food at cost and accepting cash, cards, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and Double Up Food Bucks, according to a press release.

“The Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant empowers us to expand our mobile market reach and bring fresh, healthy food directly into communities that need it most. It’s more than just food — it’s about dignity, choice, and addressing the root causes of food insecurity. With this support, we’re able to meet people where they are and help build healthier, more resilient local food systems,” said Elyse Guidas, MPH, executive director of Activate Food Arizona.

Mercy Care, which is marking its 40th anniversary throughout 2025, partners with organizations across Arizona to advance health equity and address social risk factors that affect health outcomes.

Through grant funding, sponsorships, volunteer efforts and board participation, Mercy Care has invested more than $38 million in community reinvestment projects focused on chronic condition management, mental health support, housing security and substance use recovery.

“Farm Express is making a real difference by bringing healthy, affordable food to neighborhoods that need it most,” said Trisha Stuart, community relations director at Mercy Care. “Just like Activate Food Arizona, we believe access to healthy food isn’t a luxury —it’s a basic need. It’s the foundation of a strong, thriving community — and everyone deserves that.”

Activate Food Arizona works to support individual choice around food while strengthening community connections across Arizona.

“We’ve already served more than 150,000 individuals and families in the state,” said Elyse Guidas, MPH, executive director of Activate Food Arizona. “As proud as we are about the difference we’re making, we know there is plenty more work to be done, and we’ll continue to work hard to ensure all Arizonans have equitable access to the food they need.”