Community Food Security - read the Hunger Commission's food access study and download free food access study materials including curriculum for nutrition education workshops.

Long Range Recommendations (continued)

Improve public transportation to markets that supply quality affordable food

Public transportation in the North Sacramento/ Del Paso Heights area is perceived by the community as not being user-friendly and almost impossible to utilize when purchasing groceries. Some complaints include long delays for scheduled bus routes, no bus stops near local grocery stores and long walks to get to bus stops from residential areas. One resident explained, "The bus takes a long time. You have to catch the transfers just right, or else if your transfer runs out, you have to pay for a new one.” Missing transfers or exceeding the 90-minute limit of a single fare ticket can make taking the bus an expensive mode of transportation. In addition, it is perceived by several residents that bus drivers are purposely leaving, sometimes ahead of schedule, when women with children and groceries are attempting to catch a bus. One resident complained, “Bus drivers make up stops as they go along, they are not sensitive to the disabled and will leave you if they see you walking with groceries or kids.” Regardless of whether this is fact or not, the perception holds true for some residents in the community and in their frustration they will go to great lengths to circumvent the bus system altogether including utilizing taxi cabs that can cost up to $20 a grocery trip.

Del Paso Heights Community Shuttle Project

Continue to support the implementation of the Del Paso Heights Community Shuttle Project and follow up on outreach to ensure that it is reaching useful food sources, improving food access. A new Community Shuttle Project in Del Paso Heights is scheduled to start two new routes within neighborhoods that will pick people up and take them to regularly scheduled RT bus stops. The main focus of the project is to supplement and improve existing RT service; however if people are interested in traveling within Del Paso Heights, they can utilize the shuttle for a nominal fee (not yet set, however expected to be around $.50 for adults and less for children). An added bonus to this project is that one of the main connection sites for the two neighborhood shuttle routes will be in the Sav-Max shopping center on Norwood Ave, allowing residents to be dropped off and picked up in the grocery store parking lot. (For more information on the shuttle project, see Attachment 8). Residents will also be able to request drop off's at any area markets on the shuttle route. The project is scheduled to begin in September. Though the new Community Shuttle Project will greatly improve transportation to at least one local grocery store, customer service issues and access to competitive food stores using public transportation remains an issue.

Food Shuttle

Research the possibility of a “food shuttle” which picks people up directly from their residence and takes them to the grocery store, Farmers' Market, SHARE site, or food closet and home again. A food shuttle would enable residents to overcome the difficulties of transporting food via public transportation. Consequently they would be able to shop in bulk, which also saves money on large quantities and stretches their food dollars. The Hunger Commission is looking into the possibility of collaborating with the California Emergency Foodlink “Class B” driver training course to begin a shuttle on a pilot basis.

Home Delivery Services

Encourage local grocers to start home delivery services within the community and support those efforts. It may also be difficult to convince small independent grocers to establish home delivery service due to the fact that they usually run on a tight profit margin and small staff. At least one local grocer has attempted a delivery service, which is currently not operating due to high turnover of staff in the delivery driver position and safety issues. There are two companies, Schwann's and Webvan, who currently provides home service in the area. When Schwann's was discussed in the community input meetings, there was much interest in an expansion of this type of food access. Webvan is a full service grocer. Once Food Stamps change to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, the possibility of allowing people to order food through Webvan using their EBT Cards will be pursued.

Regional Transit (RT)

Establish effective communication between residents and the Regional Transit System (RT) so that RT can hear customer concerns and have the opportunity to remedy customer service issues, improving the quality of service currently provided to the community. Improved customer service can increase the number of riders in the community.

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