FIT BUS [FARM IN TRANSIT]

mobile produce market

FIT Bus [Farm in Transit] is a mobile farmer’s market that activates public space by bringing fresh produce and educational programming to Chicago’s neighborhoods! By transforming the urban streetscape into an inclusive, interactive, and multi-sensory environment, the project nurtures participation of the whole family in the routine food shopping experience.

The design repurposes the existing systems and fixtures of a CTA bus; seats and back rests are separated and mounted to the rear wall to create storage shelves for produce ‘to go’ boxes. Safety poles and handrails are reused to create a lattice for hanging baskets of produce that will serve as a colorful indicator of seasonal produce availability. Produce storage cabinets fit standard grocery packaging crates and secure the contents while the bus is in motion. LED bus route display monitors will broadcast the latest produce stock and prices.

© CARTOGRAM 2010 in collaboration with Katherine Darnstadt, Meghann Maves, Stephanie Pifko, and Will Wingfield.