NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville is zeroing in on how to get better at serving neighborhoods that don't have access to fresh groceries.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has asked for feedback from neighborhoods across the city to address food deserts. In a press release, the Mayor's Office said more than 40,000 residents across Davidson County do not live close to a grocery store. The release added that population growth and an increased cost-of-living have contributed to food access challenges.

At a Friday press conference, O'Connell called the issue systematic, and one that needs a community-focused response. He added that the city is planning partnerships to provide public markets in some underserved areas where everyone can shop for fresh food in a convenient location. Additionally, some of the city's strategy involves changes to WeGo bus routes by broadening reliability through adding weekend hours.

"The Napier and Sudekum communities right near Chestnut Hill as well have watched a loss of a CB grocery store, [and] a local market. That community is facing increased pressure," O'Connell said. "...We're trying to do a few things at once: improve transit reliability and access to scenarios where people may be able to get groceries more easily that way as part of that commute, but also look at community-based options that would put healthy produce, protein — all the kinds of things, including things that are locally grown, and ideally local and regional farmers."

The mayor also acknowledged increased pressure in Cheatham Place and much of North Nashville due to the temporary closure of a Kroger on Monroe Street. That pressure, O'Connell said, dates back years.

The Mayor's Office of Economic and Community Development will release a request for information within the coming weeks to field ideas from Nashville residents about how to bring community-focused grocery stores to areas without them. It won't be a formal request for proposals, but more of an open invitation for ideas to help city leaders understand what's working, what's not working and what new approaches could work to improve food access for Nashvillians.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/nashville-mayor-food-deserts/