
Atlantic City’s Innovative Response to Supermarket Shortage: State and Hospitals Launch Mobile Groceries
- foodfightadmin
- December 12, 2023
- Nutrition, State
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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — In a city famous for its bustling casinos and $5 billion annual gambling industry, Atlantic City faces a stark reality: the absence of a full-service supermarket. Residents of this coastal city have been without a local supermarket for nearly two decades, forcing them to seek alternatives that are often costly and inconvenient.
Efforts to build a supermarket, which received substantial support and funding, unfortunately unraveled earlier this year, leaving the city’s residents in the lurch. In response, Virtua Health, in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, launched the “Eat Well” program, offering a creative solution to this pressing issue.
The program features a converted school bus stocked with affordable, high-quality food and fresh produce. This initiative aims to address the food desert status of Atlantic City, identified as the second among 50 New Jersey communities lacking in accessible healthy food options.
Delorese Butley-Whaley, 62, expressed her relief and gratitude for the bus service, which significantly reduces her need to travel long distances or incur high transportation costs to access basic food items. Her sentiments were echoed by many who find the service a much-needed relief in their daily lives.
April Schetler of Virtua Health emphasized the program’s commitment to dignity and accessibility, with no income restrictions imposed on shoppers. The initiative focuses on bringing essential grocery items directly to the neighborhoods, significantly cutting down transportation costs for residents.
The failed supermarket project, spearheaded by Village Super Market Inc. and strongly supported by Gov. Phil Murphy, was a disappointment for the community. Despite the allocation of $19 million in public funds, the project did not materialize, prompting the state to explore alternative bids for a new store.
Meanwhile, the Virtua food bus, backed by $5.5 million in state funding, is part of a larger effort to bring mobile grocery services to areas in need. AtlanticCare, another local hospital system, plans to integrate a mobile grocery into its food pantry program, complete with health education, cooking classes, and incentives for purchasing healthy foods.
JoAnn Melton, 42, a local shopper, highlighted the contrast between the city’s tourist attractions and the daily struggles of its residents. She praised the grocery bus for its affordability and convenience, offering a stark contrast to the overpriced and underwhelming options at local corner stores.
This mobile grocery initiative represents a critical step toward addressing food insecurity and ensuring access to nutritious food for all Atlantic City residents. As the community continues to advocate for a permanent supermarket solution, programs like “Eat Well” provide essential support in bridging the grocery gap.