New 'curbside connection' van providing access to health food for those in Mahoning Valley

Valley groups teamed up to unveil their new Curbside Connection Project Van Wednesday afternoon.

The Tri-County Community Action Agencies and Direction Home of Eastern Ohio worked together on the project to create a van to provide fresh market produce and community services to older adults.

Youngstown and much of the surrounding area is considered a food desert, meaning there is little or no easy access to healthy and affordable foods.

Organizers told 21 News that the van will help address that issue.

"We hope this well bridge some of that gap," MYCAP CEO Sheila Triplett said. "We know there's lots of need out there, especially for food and the services we provide.

The van will serve Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

It's a full service van, giving it the capabilities to do anything the Community Action Agency can do in the office.