Addressing Barriers to Food Access: A Comprehensive Study of Fresh Mobile Market Distribution in Low-Income Communities

The challenge of food insecurity in low-income communities warrants innovative solutions like Fresh Mobile Markets (FMMs) to improve access to fresh produce and address health disparities. This study analyzes demographic landscapes and travel patterns among Greensboro, NC, USA, FMM patrons and evaluates whether the FMMs effectively serve local communities or draw from distant areas. Additionally, the study highlights the potential impact of transportation barriers on patronage in the network. Analyses reveal disparities in FMM distribution, with some regions exhibiting higher patron traffic than others. Notably, FMMs attract patrons from diverse zip codes, suggesting varying levels of accessibility across neighborhoods. Our findings underscore the need for strategic FMM placement and targeted interventions to optimize food access in low-income/low-access neighborhood communities.