Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
Mercy Care has awarded Activate Food Arizona a 2025 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $450,000.
The grant will support the nonprofit’s Farm Express Mobile Market program, a fleet of mobile produce markets that sell high-quality, affordable fruits and vegetables in communities with limited access to healthy food, according to a press release.
Farm Express, which has operated since 2014 with support from Mercy Care, provides food access throughout Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. The mobile markets sell food at cost and accept cash, card, SNAP benefits and Double Up Food Bucks, a two-for-one incentive program that allows SNAP customers to take home twice as much produce.
“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,” said Elyse Guidas, MPH, executive director of Activate Food Arizona. “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,” Ms. Guidas said.
Mercy Care, celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2025, partners with organizations across Arizona to advance health equity and address social risk factors. Through grants, sponsorships, volunteer efforts and board participation, Mercy Care has invested more than $38 million in community reinvestment projects that support chronic condition management, mental health, 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 Ms. 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,” Ms. Stuart said.
Activate Food Arizona’s mission is to ensure all individuals have the ability to make their own food decisions and build more connected communities across the state.
“We’ve already served more than 150,000 individuals and families in the state,” Ms. Guidas said. “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.”
