How does transit affect one of our most basic needs -- food? Access to quality, fresh produce or just basic groceries is an important function of transit. So is enriching the experience of public gathering spaces. Learn how communities in Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix are using transit as a tool to respond to food deserts and improve access to quality groceries. Whether it's active transport, a food bus, or regulations that allow communities to promote food choices, hear how these cities are leading the way. Moderator: James Cromar, AICP, Director of Planning, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Adelee Le Grand, AICP, Associate Vice President, AECOM, Atlanta, Georgia Veletta Lill, Former Executive Director, Dallas Arts District, Dallas, Texas Donald Keuth, President, Phoenix Community Alliance, Phoenix, Arizona

1. 1

2. 2
The Discovery Triangle encompasses the area between downtown Phoenix and the Biomedical
District in the west, Tempe and the ASU Tempe campus in the southeast and Papago Park in the
northeast.
The Triangle is rich with those assets that 21st Century companies and their knowledge workers
desire:
§ Higher education and knowledge industry clusters
§ Multi-model and global transportation
§ Vibrant urban centers
§ Multitude of lifestyle amenities
THE
DISCOVERY
TRIANGLE
16,000
acres
25-­‐square
miles
THE DISCOVERY TRIANGLE

3. THE
DISCOVERY
TRIANGLE
Proprietary
Asset
Database
DISCOVERY TRIANGLE – ASSETS

4. With Valley growth projections of more than 2.5 million people
and 1.2 million jobs in the next 25 years,
how will the Discovery Triangle influence the region?
DISCOVERY TRIANGLE – GROWTH

5.
The Discovery Triangle Development Corporation
(DTDC), a public-private nonprofit corporation
formed to serve as a facilitator and advocate for
regional urban redevelopment and innovation
investment.
The DTDC has three priorities designed to support
The long-term vision of the region:
Serve as the catalyst for regional collaboration to
stimulate high value projects with its partners.
Develop and advance a comprehensive
urban public policy for the region.
Promote and package the assets of the area,
celebrating the history and diversity of the
neighborhoods located within the Triangle.
THE
DISCOVERY
TRIANGLE
Development
Corpora4on
THE DTDC

6. 6
Discovery Triangle is both a place and an initiative.
It is a movement for fostering an urban lifestyle that
integrates education, economic prosperity,
Recreation and a celebration of Arizona.
It is a regional model and multi-jurisdictional effort,
that leverages and enhances the environmental,
intellectual and cultural vitality of the area.
Its assets are rich in content, empowered by both
nature and the built environment.
THE
DISCOVERY
TRIANGLE
Our
Approach
DISCOVERY TRIANGLE – OUR APPROACH

7. 7
Transformative Urban Model for
Redevelopment and Revitalization
Showpiece for the region
Model for regional planning and coordination
Best practices in sustainable design
Organic development of neighborhoods/nodes
Urban Core Connector
Develop a tri-city multi-modal master transit plan
Pedestrian orientation
Canal linkage
Bicycle paths
THE
DISCOVERY
TRIANGLE
Urban
DISCOVERY TRIANGLE - URBAN

8. 8
Economic
Center for high-wage knowledge, innovation and technology
clusters
Hub for international discovery-based companies
Fertile ground for start-up ventures, new industries and
entrepreneurial businesses of all kinds
Environmental
The most sustainable region in the U.S.
Catalyst for regional recognition in sustainable
advancements
Petri dish for solar and energy technologies
Intellectual
Access to world-class education and talent
Pioneers in developing an innovative K-12 system
Individual Well Being
Exceptional healthcare
Recreational, cultural and entertainment amenities
THE
DISCOVERY
TRIANGLE
Vitality
DISCOVERY TRIANGLE - VITALITY

9. ROLE OF DTDC
Discovery Triangle Development Corporation (DTDC) is a non-profit “civic entrepreneur” that
brings together community partners to solve problems that impede the success of the
Discovery Triangle region.
PROBLEM
The Discovery Triangle, a 25-square-mile region, is considered a “food desert”.
The majority of places to purchase fresh foods are convenience stores and it is difficult for
residents to easily access grocery stores.
Many Discovery Triangle residents rely on public transportation, including taxi cabs, to get to a
grocery store which takes time and money.
INITIATIVE: FEEDING THE FOOD DESERT

10. FOOD STORES MAP

11. To enhance the health of Discovery Triangle residents by increasing
access, availability, and affordability of fresh produce and providing
health and wellness resources to empower community members to
make healthy choices.
GOAL

12. DTDC launched and operates a
mobile fresh produce market,
“Fresh Express by Discovery
Triangle”, which sells fresh,
affordable, and high-quality fruits
and vegetables out of a retrofitted
Valley Metro bus. In addition to
fresh produce, ASU College of
Nursing has a station on the bus
to provide free health screenings
and Junior League of Phoenix has
volunteers on-board to assist with
nutrition education.
WHAT WE DID

13. JANUARY, 2014

14. GEOGRAPHIC REACH
• The area we will serve is classified as a low-income census tract by the
Federal government
• The area is predominantly 60% or less of the Phoenix MSA
• 12% of the individuals in the labor force are unemployed
• Average Family Income: $33,802
• Median Community Income: $24,347

15. COMMUNITY SURVEY
DTDC visited several Balsz school events to survey the community.
• What do you think about the prices, selections and locations of the store
that you currently shop at for fresh fruits and vegetables?
"They offer it but it is bad quality"
"They are expensive and poor quality"
"Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is bad"
"It's okay"
"It is very expensive”
"Expensive and not good”
"Food City, it’s hard because the food isn't fresh"

16. COMMUNITY SURVEY
• What types of fruits would you like to see on the bus?
Watermelons, bananas, oranges, apples, melons, strawberries, pears,
pineapples, grapes, limes, avocados, lettuce, cabbages, mangoes,
peaches, guavas, blueberries, papayas, raspberries
• What types of vegetables would you like to see on the bus?
Tomatoes, chilies, carrots, potatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, corn, bell
peppers, broccoli, peas, jalapeños, radish, cauliflower, green beans,
garlic, celery, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus
• Would you shop at the Fresh Express if the time is convenient for you?
Everyone said yes

17. FRESH EXPRESS BY DISCOVERY TRIANGLE
• Began with a pilot program, operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Route stops include schools, senior centers, parks, churches, other key
community gathering places in underserved neighborhoods
• On-board community health resources include nutrition education,
healthy food demonstrations, and health screenings
• Produce sold at cost
• Accept all forms of payment (SNAP, debit/credit, cash)
• Launched March 2014

18. Chicago
FreshMoves Mobile Market
(run by Food Desert Action)
Kansas City
Healthy Harvest Mobile Market
(run by Truman Medical Center)
Memphis
Green Machine
(run by St. Patrick Community Outreach Center)
IDENTITY AND DESIGN

19. PARTNERS

20. - GOING FROM 3 TO 4 DAYS OF OPERATIONS
- SECOND BUS TO BE ADDED
- NATIONAL MODEL
FRESH EXPRESS 2015/2016