Taking Care of Your Loved Ones: Transportation Options and Grocery Delivery
Healthy eating requires ready access to grocery stores for fresh food. For seniors and disabled people living alone, getting veggies and other nutrient rich foods can be a challenge. Many housing options for low-income people are in so-called “food deserts” where residents must travel a significant distance to reach full-line grocery stores. They wind up purchasing prepared and takeout foods and shopping at convenience stores instead — and risk becoming obese, says the University of Michigan. However, food shopping options are growing including transportation solutions and grocery store delivery.
Transportation Options
Seniors and disabled people are getting access to a growing number of transportation options which will get them to the store to do their weekly shopping. The Federal Administration for Community Living lists local resources funded by government agencies, and in many communities, there are also non-profit and volunteer organizations which provide a ride in a shuttle or private car to reach the store. Americans with Disabilities Act mandated paratransit services also can help people who can no longer use public transportation easily.
Picking Up or Getting Delivery to Avoid Crowds
Everyone is finding it harder to make the weekly grocery trip. There is a new option to simplify shopping at many stores: personal grocery shoppers, where workers get the customer’s online order ready and load it into the customer’s vehicle on arrival. There are also grocery store delivery services. The Washington Post, quoting research firm Nielsen, notes that one-quarter of customers use delivery now and seventy percent will in six years.
Keeping Costs Down on Weekly Shopping
Saving money on groceries is essential for most people, even if they want or need convenience as well, says CNBC. Senior and disabled transportation options allow those customers to continue to visit their choice of local stores. Pricing is important to these customers and having trust in the service and quality of fresh foods which are available from the store. When considering their delivery options, they are likely to prefer grocery store delivery that’s from a familiar local store.
Helping Loved Ones Eat Well
Senior and disabled transportation options, using these services to pick up prepared orders, and taking advantage of grocery store delivery help those on their own continue to eat well no matter where they live. The University of Michigan has been finding that even the challenges of food deserts can be overcome using food access options. Whether loved ones are far from food shopping locations or just can’t get to what’s available nearby, there are resources which can keep them eating — and entertaining — the way they should.
Source
https://www.si.umich.edu/can-online-grocery-delivery-services-address-%E2%80%98food-deserts%E2%80%99
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/04/grocery-delivery-in-the-us-is-expected-to-explode.html
https://eldercare.acl.gov/public/resources/topic/Transportation.aspx
