An addendum: This article appeared in the Lansing City Pulse on December 6 of last year. It mentions the efforts made by one of the Quality Dairy franchises near downtown to bring in fresh produce. In the article, the QD manager makes note that demand and the subsequent sales for produce were high. The market exists. It's just not a very upscale market.
My greatest concern, still, is price. This effort (assuming it goes through) has to avoid alienating the crowd it is primarily intended for. I'm really excited by the thought of being able to revitalize downtown Lansing, but it's important not to get carried away and to keep in mind the fact that a large proportion of Lansing residents rely on gas stations and convenience stores for a bulk of their grocery needs.
2 comments:
TJ's = affordable
Whole Foods = expensive, cachet
I'm working with a group called the Ypsilanti Healthy Food Access Initiative here at the Health Department (YHFAI). They are advocating for either a new small grocer, more fresh produce in existing corner stores (problem is that they are mostly liquor-related places) or creating a mobile fresh food market. NYC has a similar program going on called "Move to Fruits and Vegetables" and there are more all over the country. Crap, I think I should be in Public Health! Maybe we both missed the ball on that one...
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