COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The city of Columbia announced Friday that they will be featured in the White House’s Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) program.
As part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, the GAP program involves the city partnering with Instacart to combat hunger and build healthy communities.
City officials said residents who qualify for the GAP program will be given a complimentary Instacart+ membership and a monthly stipend to cover service fees, allowing eligible residents to have free delivery of food and home goods on orders over $35 for a year.
The city said the program is intended to provide food access to those who live in a food desert, which is when a person lives more than one mile away from the nearest grocery store in an urban area, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
A report by the City’s Food Policy Committee conducted in 2020 said more than 65,000 Richland County residents are in need of more equitable food access.
“As part of the Challenge, we hope to show our continuous commitment to reducing food insecurity and building a healthier community,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “Columbia hopes to serve as an example to other cities that face similar struggles and need innovative solutions.”
Click here to learn more about the GAP program.
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