Rolling Into a Healthier Future: The Impact of the Rollin’ Root
AIM Program Profile – The Rollin’ Root
Monday, April 7, 2025
My name is Karimah, and I have been managing The Rollin’ Root since its inception. Over the past eight years, I’ve witnessed and guided its incredible growth—not just in the number of stops we serve, but in the impact we’ve had on the communities we reach. What started as a single-day operation has grown into a four-day-a-week program serving Marin, San Francisco, and now Alameda County. Through dedication and adaptability, we’ve built a trusted resource for fresh, high-quality food where grocery options are limited.
Expanding Access to Fresh, Local Food
The Rollin’ Root bridges the gap in food access, ensuring older adults, low-income families, and those with mobility challenges have a reliable source of fresh produce. Operating across 14 locations, we’ve completed over 40,000 transactions, expanding from one stop a week to four days of service.
Nutrition Education & Community Engagement
Providing food is essential, but we believe empowering our shoppers with knowledge is equally vital. To bridge this gap, we collaborate with educators, offering hands-on nutrition lessons, practical storage tips, and affordable recipes. The impact is clear: in 2024, 1,331 Marin shoppers and 734 San Francisco shoppers actively participated in our educational programs, with 148 lessons delivered across both regions. As one customer aptly stated, ‘You’re not going to find a nutrition educator at a grocery store, but you will at Rollin’ Root.’ This unique, invaluable service is only found at The Rollin’ Root.
The heart of our outreach and operations lies with our Community Ambassadors. For over six years, since 2018, these 15 active members have been crucial in connecting with our communities. We witness their impact firsthand, and Fran, from our Visitation Valley Saturday stop, beautifully captures their spirit: 'Thank you! We love partnering with the Rollin’ Root.'"
Supporting Local Farmers & Reducing Waste
By sourcing produce from over 60 small and mid-sized farms, The Rollin’ Root strengthens the local agricultural economy. Any unsold food is donated to ExtraFood and local churches, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
2024 Achievements
163 people served weekly across 50 weeks
Expanded into Alameda County for the South Hayward Market
Partnered with Fresh Approach to develop mobile market training resources
Collaborated with Marin Child Care Centers (MC3) to provide fresh produce for early childhood programs
Engaged in 17 outreach events, working with the West Marin Food Systems Collaboration & SF Food Security Task Force.
Looking Ahead
As we peer into the future, The Rollin' Root envisions more than just a mobile market; we see a powerful movement, a driving force for equitable food access. Our commitment is unwavering: to deepen our existing partnerships, ensuring stronger community ties; to continuously refine our services, adapting to the evolving needs of those we serve; and to expand our reach, bringing fresh, healthy food to even more individuals and families. We firmly believe that access to nutritious food is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Join us as we roll forward, together, towards a healthier future for all.