While one local food writer chooses to dismiss the problem of our local food deserts as “manufactured,” we think the issue is important enough to highlight another inspiring start-up dedicated to improving food security for everyone in our community.
Sometimes, as it turns out, innovative solutions to real problems are surprisingly simple. Lowcountry Street Grocery (LSG) is a case in point. Since mainstream grocery stores are reluctant to invest in certain communities, the obvious solution was to find a more affordable way to bring healthy food to the people. Instead of brick and mortar stores, LSG will be investing in retrofitted school buses to create mobile farmers markets.
The mobile market approach has a lot of advantages over traditional grocery stores. Most important are prices and flexibility. LSG’s low overhead costs mean that their prices can be very competitive. And LSG’s mobility means that they can be responsive to community input and needs. LSG founder, Lindsey Barrow, has already connected with a number of churches in North Charleston who are eagerly looking forward to hosting a stop on LSG’s route.
LSG also had their eye on sustainability when it came to designing their business model. The flexibility of the mobile market approach means that LSG can serve diverse communities across the economic spectrum. By operating in affluent as well as struggling communities, LSG can remain economically viable while they serve their mission to increase food access for all.
Speaking of missions, LSG is committed to being a truly mission-based business. Once established, LSG intends to operate as a Benefit Corporation (or B Corp) which means that they work for the public good and they will be held to a higher standard of transparency and accountability to the community.
This mission-driven approach has already inspired a lot of community involvement that Barrow points out has been essential to LSG’s development thus far. Slow Food Charleston, Memminger Elementary School, Rebellion Farms, Ten Acres Farm, The Paradise Hotel, CofC’s Enactus group, and a whole bunch of others have all joined in this effort to address the food desert issue.
To learn more & connect with LSG online:
LowcountryStreetGrocery.com
Facebook.com/pages/…
