Brightspeed partnership reaches 10,000 pay-what-you-can mobile users

"Six months ago, Brightspeed and Ripe for Revival set out to meet that need head-on through the nonprofit's pay-what-you-can market. The partners have hosted 88 weekly pop-up markets across 15 Central and Eastern North Carolina counties, meeting families where they are, from church parking lots to community centers. Since November, the efforts have reached nearly 10,000 individuals and distributed more than 23,000 pounds of food at prices roughly 30% lower than traditional grocery stores."

"Food insecurity is a rising concern across all of North Carolina's 100 counties. Over the past year alone, Ripe for Revival and Brightspeed have seen a 39% increase in food distributed, underscoring both rising demand and community reach. By the numbers, in the last six months the mobile market has: Distributed 151,623 servings; Traveled 7,140 miles; Distributed 19,619 pounds of produce; Distributed 1,152 pounds of shelf-stable food; Distributed 2,632 pounds of grocery items."

""We are out in small communities every single day, connecting with real people who struggle to afford basic needs. Our mission has a direct impact," says Will Kornegay, Founder and CEO of Ripe for Revival. "We couldn't do it without partners like Brightspeed who care deeply about the communities they serve.""

Rising grocery prices are increasing food insecurity across rural North Carolina, with 1 in 7 residents affected. Brightspeed partnered with Ripe for Revival in 2025 to improve access to affordable food and internet. The partnership launched a pay-what-you-can market model using weekly pop-up locations across 15 Central and Eastern counties. Over six months, 88 pop-up markets reached nearly 10,000 individuals and distributed more than 23,000 pounds of food at about 30% lower than traditional grocery stores. Food distribution increased 39% over the past year, reflecting growing demand and expanded community reach. Reported logistics include 151,623 servings, 7,140 miles traveled, and multiple categories of food distributed.

Read at Telecompetitor