The Urban Food Initiative Inc

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** SCALING DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS IN THE BOSTON REGION THROUGH DAILY TABLE

DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS: EXPANDING SCOPE AND GREATER ACCESS IN THE BOSTON METRO AREA

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** PROJECT DESCRIPTIONDAILY TABLE AND ITS MATTAPAN-BASED COMMUNITY PARTNERS WILL CREATE A DAILY TABLE STORE SERVING MATTAPAN RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE, SUSTAINABLE, COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTION TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY.DAILY TABLE IS A NONPROFIT COMMUNITY GROCERY STORE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING FRESH, HEALTHY, CONVENIENT AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO COMMUNITIES MOST IN NEED AT PRICES EVERYONE CAN AFFORD.WE ARE WORKING HARD TO FIGHT THE REAL FACE OF HUNGER--THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE NUTRITION FOR THE FOOD INSECURE LIVING IN ECONOMICALLY-DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS.DAILY TABLE'S MATTAPAN STORE WILL BEEXPANSION OF A UNIQUE NON-PROFIT GROCERY STORE MODEL TOMITIGATE FOOD INSECURITY AND PROVIDE HEALTHY, FRESH, LOCAL, AFFORDABLE FOOD TO IMPROVE LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS' HEALTH AND WELL BEING.PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSEDEVEN IN THE WORLD'S GREATEST FOOD-PRODUCING NATION, APPROXIMATELY 45 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE UNCERTAIN ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN THE U.S. DURING THE PANDEMIC, FOOD INSECURITY INCREASED BY 59 PERCENT IN MASSACHUSETTS, MORE THAN IN ANY OTHER STATE. A RECENT GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK SURVEY FOUND THAT ONLY ONE OF THREE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY ACTUALLY USE FOOD PANTRIES OR FOOD BANKS. RESPONDENTS SHARED THAT THEY ARE DISCOURAGED, EMBARRASSED, UNAWARE, AND/OR SIMPLY WANT TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF RELYING ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.AMERICA'S FOOD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE CALORIES CHEAP AND NUTRIENTS EXPENSIVE, LEAVING NUTRITION ECONOMICALLY INACCESSIBLE FOR THE FOOD INSECURE. LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS OFFER PLENTY OF FAST-FOOD RESTAURANTS AND CONVENIENCE STORES OFFERING HIGHLY-PROCESSED, UNHEALTHY CALORIES, WHILE LARGE GROCERY STORE CHAINS ARE EXPENSIVE AND NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE.IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, FINDING ADEQUATE HOUSING AND RESOURCES TO PAY FOR FOOD, HEALTH CARE, CHILD CARE, AND OTHER CRITICAL EXPENSES ARE DIFFICULT EVEN WITH A FULL-TIME JOB. AND WITH LOST WAGES, INCREASED UNEMPLOYMENT, AND MANY HAVING LITTLE-TO-NO SAVINGS TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 -- THESE CONCERNS HAVE INTENSIFIED. WHEN NUTRITIONAL FOOD AND FRESH PRODUCE ARE EXPENSIVE OR UNAVAILABLE, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OFTEN RESORT TO EATING CHEAPER, LESS NUTRITIOUS, AND OFTEN PROCESSED FOODS. OVER TIME, THIS STRATEGY CAN HAVE HUGE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS. STUDIES FINDTHAT THOSE WHO LIVE IN LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO CHRONIC AND SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS LIKE MALNOURISHMENT, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, CANCER, DIABETES, AND HEART DISEASE -- THE SAME CONDITIONS THAT CAN MAKE COVID-19 UP TO 10 TIMES MORE DEADLY.PART OF THE SOLUTION TO HUNGER, OBESITY, AND FOOD-RELATED ILLNESS IS NOT A FULL STOMACH, BUTA NUTRITIOUS, AFFORDABLE, CONVENIENT MEAL. DAILY TABLE'S NONPROFIT GROCERY STORES SERVELOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES WHERE HEALTHY OPTIONS ARE LACKING, MAKINGIT AFFORDABLE AND CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE TO EAT HEALTHIER WHERE THEY LIVE. IN ADDITION, BY OFFERING PEOPLE THE ABILITY TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH THE POWER OF THEIR OWN DOLLARS, THEY GAIN A SENSE OF SATISFACTION AND DEVELOP AGENCY WHILEIMPROVING THEIR HEALTH AND WELL BEING.A SOLUTIONDAILY TABLE OFFERS A RANGE OF FRESH AND HEALTHY PRODUCE, GROCERY STAPLES, AND PREPARED FOODS AT PRICES THAT ARE 25%-35% LESS THAN OTHER GROCERS.OURCOMMISSARY KITCHEN PREPARES FRESH, DELICIOUS, 100% SNAP-ELIGIBLE, GRAB 'N GO MEALS, SALADS, SOUPS, SANDWICHES, AND SMOOTHIES THAT ARE ON SALE IN STORES STARTING AT $1.99 -- A FRACTION OF THE PRICE OF FAST FOOD ALTERNATIVES.WE SELL ONLY TASTY FOOD THAT MEETS STRICT NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SODIUM AND SUGAR ESTABLISHED BY A WORLD-CLASS TEAM OF DIETITIANS FROM THE BOSTON MED-ED COMMUNITY. DAILY TABLE STORES AREWARM, WELCOMING AND ARE ALL CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR PUBLIC TRANSIT AND OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK INCLUDING EVENINGS.WE PARTNER WITH 85+ GROWERS, MANUFACTURERS, AND DISTRIBUTORS TO SOURCE HIGH-QUALITY, 100% SNAP-ELIGIBLE FOOD, HELPING DRIVE DOWN OUR COSTS OF GOODS SOLD AND PASS SAVINGS ONTO CUSTOMERS.WE OFFER FREE ONLINE GROCERY ORDERING AND FREE HOME DELIVERY SERVING SHOPPERS LIVING WITHIN TWO MILES OF OUR STORES, REDUCING FOOD AND FINANCIAL WORRIES AND BENEFITING THE MOST VULNERABLE. PRICES ONLINE ARE THE SAME AS PRICES IN STORE -- NO MARKUP.WE COLLABORATE WITH MORE THAN 60 MISSION-ALIGNED ORGANIZATIONS SERVING POPULATIONS FACING SIGNIFICANT ADVERSITY AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS. WE PROVIDE SHOPPING VOUCHERS, AND FREE EDUCATION AND NUTRITION CLASSES, TO INCREASE THEIR BUYING POWER AND INCREASE ACCESS TO THE NUTRITION NEEDED FOR HEALTH AND HEALING.WE OFFERLIVING WAGE JOBS, RETAIL JOB TRAINING, AND ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES WHERE OUR STORES ARE LOCATED. MORE THAN 80% OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS LIVE WITHIN TWO MILES OF OUR STORES. OUR ENTRY-LEVEL STARTING WAGE IS $16.00/HOUR; THE HIGHEST STARTING RATE AMONG RETAIL GROCERS.EXPECTED BENEFITSFOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:A CONVENIENT AND RELIABLE SOLUTION TO ACCESS NUTRITIOUS, AFFORDABLE FOOD WITH DIGNITY.AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO STRETCH FOOD BUDGETS.OPPORTUNITIES TO EAT BETTER, LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES, REDUCE HEALTH RISKS, AND IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES.INCREASING QUANTITIES AND VARIETIES OF PRODUCTS TO SERVE THEIR TOTAL SHOPPING NEEDS.CLASSES AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOCUSED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DIET AND NUTRITION, DESIGNED TO INCREASE SKILLS TO PREPARE HEALTHY OPTIONS AND GAIN AGENCY FOR THEIR HEALTH.FOR EMPLOYEES:LIVING WAGE JOBS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PERSONAL GROWTH. OUR ENTRY-LEVEL STARTING WAGE IS $16.00/HOUR.JOBS WHERE OUR TEAM MEMBERS LIVE. EIGHTY PERCENT OF OUR TEAM LIVE WITHIN A TWO-MILE RADIUS OF OUR STORES.REDUCE JOB AND LIFE STRESS THROUGH OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT IS FREE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. WHILE STANDARD AT LARGE CORPORATIONS, THIS TYPE OF BENEFIT IS UNCOMMON AT SMALL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE DAILY TABLE.A DIVERSE AND NURTURING TEAM THAT SUPPORTS, UNDERSTANDS, AND RELISHES THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN OUR CUSTOMERS' SUCCESSES.FOR COMMUNITY AND PARTNERS:A FOOD ACCESS MODEL THAT IS EQUITABLE, EFFICIENT, AND JUST.MUTUALLY-BENEFICIAL COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE REACH AND IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS.A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO STRENGTHEN THE FOOD ECOSYSTEM AND LOCAL ECONOMIES AND DELIVER VALUE TO ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.A SOUND METHOD TO REDUCE QUANTITIES OF UNEATEN AND WASTED FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD. IN 2020, WE RESCUED 1,672,196 POUNDS OF PERFECTLY GOOD FOOD THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO WASTE.