A bus loaded with pears, asparagus and other fruits and vegetables soon will start rolling through South Side neighborhoods in a circuit Mayor Rahm Emanuel likened Friday to a healthy ice cream truck route.The bus should start rolling around on the south side starting in September!
The former CTA bus will join one already operating on the West Side by the nonprofit organization Fresh Moves. The group aims to bring healthier eats to Chicago's food deserts, areas lacking proper grocery stores with produce sections.
TheU.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to give Fresh Moves a $70,000 grant to renovate a second bus after the first one proved to be a hit, selling produce during regular appearances at pre-set locations, Emanuel said.
"We knew growing up, 4 o'clock on a Thursday at the playground, here comes the ice cream truck," Emanuel said. "You took that model, turned it upside down, right side up and made it part of healthy living."
Dispatches from Chicago's south side.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Tribune: Emanuel hails South Side produce bus
Is this one way to give low-income neighborhoods access to fresh produce?
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It's an innovative approach but will it be profitable? There are other buses planned by other groups. The 6th ward has a plan as well has and continues to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables although some will buy into the food desert myth.
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