27-08-2012, 12:13 PM
The Virtual Supermarket Project
1The Virtual Supermarket.ppt (Size: 6.53 MB / Downloads: 365)
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
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.
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.
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
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
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