1. The Virtual Supermarket Project
Connecting underserved communities to healthy foods

2. The Problem
Many neighborhoods do not have a full-service supermarket. People shop at corner stores that are:
Unhealthy
Poor or no selection of fruits and vegetables
More expensive than supermarket fare
Health consequences:
Obesity
High blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease

3. This is Baltimore

4. Innovation:The Virtual Supermarket Project
Mission: The mission of the Virtual Supermarket Project is to transform urban communities into neighborhoods that enjoy convenient, rapid access to affordable, healthy food.

5. Innovation:The Virtual Supermarket Project
The Virtual Supermarket Project will achieve this transformation by:
partnering with community groups to allow purchasing and same-day delivery of supermarket goods to local neighborhood points via Internet ordering.

6. The Virtual Supermarket Project
Grocery ordering occurs at a community center using the Internet
Groceries delivered to the same place within 3-6 hours of order placement

7. The Virtual Supermarket Project
Community group supplies:
People who need a way to purchase groceries
A high traffic area for the Virtual Supermarket Project to set up
Publicity of the project to community members
The Virtual Supermarket supplies:
Staff to administer the process
Secure Internet access for purchases
Credit card to guarantee purchases
Subsidized delivery fee for first 6 weeks to establish demand

8. The Process
Step 1: Select 1-2 times/week for online grocery ordering at the Community Center/Church/Neighborhood Site
2: Consumers pay with cash, credit card, debit, or food stamps
3: Order submitted to supermarket
4: Select a delivery time
5: Residents pick up pre-purchased groceries at appointed time at Community Center/Church/Neighborhood Site

12. Delivered to: Community Site
Erica
Chris
Sam

13. Community Implications
Convenient neighborhood delivery
Removes transportation barrier
No more buses or cabs to get to the market
Less expensive than corner stores
Expanded, healthier food choices

14. Business Implications
Markets want to sell more food, and people want to buy it!
Virtual Supermarket organizes the low income market
Subsidizes delivery fee until market has grown large enough to justify a waiver of the fee
Higher quality goods and services brought to the neighborhood

15. Two sites currently in Baltimore

16. Two sites currently in Baltimore

17. Where the data? One test run: #1: 6 participants: $151.32
Two test runs:
#1: 3 participants: $97.11
#2: 8 participants: $134.32

18. Next steps: Institutional Partner
                                  

19. Next steps: Spread the word
Promotion of Virtual Supermarket Project to community groups
Establish 1-2 purchase nights, 1 delivery time
Begin serving the community!
                                  

20. Short-term Goals (6mo.): The Virtual Supermarket Project
Establish routine, predictable healthy food access at 10 community sites throughout Baltimore City
MOUs
Increase volume and value of purchases so delivery fee is waived
15-20 users per site
Attract additional sites

21. Long-term Goals (1-2 yrs): The Virtual Supermarket Project
Establish routine, predictable healthy food access in underserved communities
Educate consumers on healthy food purchasing
Influence purchases at the point of sale though education
Expand Virtual Supermarket Project to other cities

23. The Virtual Supermarket Project
Comments? Questions?
The Virtual Supermarket Project
Jennifer Monti