The planned closing of a Publix in the Gateway Town Center on Jacksonville’s Northside in late December is expected to turn the neighborhood into a food desert.
Officials are looking at some innovative solutions to make sure people in the area can get healthy food.
A food desert is an urban area where at least 500 people live at least a mile away from a full-service grocery store or market that sells fruits, vegetables and fresh meat.
Related
- Councilman Gaffney Hopes To Find Way To Keep Publix From Closing Gateway Store
- Publix Announces It Will Close Its Gateway Town Center Store
The closing of the Gateway Publix would leave hundreds without a nearby grocery, and taking public transit to the next closest one would be difficult.
Kirk Wendland leads the City of Jacksonville Office of Economic Development. He said Tuesday on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross that the city is looking to partner with JTA to offer people rides to grocery stores at discounted rates, and, possibly Feeding Northeast Florida on a mobile market program.
Listen: Full interview with Wendland and Feeding Florida CEO and President Susan King
“It might be able to be in one neighborhood one day, another the next, and bring fresh food to people out there in some of the nearby locations.”
Wendland said the city might even look to partner with grocery delivery apps like Instacart or Shipt, to help get food to people in local food deserts.
Melissa Ross can be reached at mross@wjct.org, 904-358-6382 or on Twitter at @MelissainJax.
