Whole Foods ‘Better For You’ is Better for Community

Amelia Pape co-founded My Street Grocery as an independent business in 2012 after developing the concept in graduate school at Portland State University. The store's first ride was a refurbished Franz bread truck. The start-up worked with non-profits, but after Pape's partners left she approached Whole Foods about combining forces.

It took less than 10 minutes for Joe Rogoff, president of the Pacific Northwest for Whole Foods before he was immediately on board recalls Amelia Pape co-founded My Street Grocery. My Street Grocery is a health food store on wheels from Whole Foods Market that partners with Portland-area health clinics to make fresh, healthy food more accessible. Here is the story from Oregonlive:

 “The company purchased a used trolley from the city of Fort Worth, Texas -- Pape said "her name was already Molly" -- and added the market's 365 Everyday Value products to the mobile store's inventory.”...

“The trolley will be open to the public four days a week, and the location varies by day The store accepts cash, card and food stamps….Molly the Trolley houses freezers and refrigerators that store meat, dairy and juice, among other products. The shelves are lined with whole grain pasta, dried fruit and soups. Fresh produce, nuts and cereal sit on tables and shelves outside.” …

“Pape said the trolley is stocked with 365 Everyday Value products -- the company's most affordable brand -- to ease the cost barrier. Produce is priced per item instead of per pound to help shoppers understand what they'll be paying.”…

“The five clinics Pape partners with also help cover the cost of healthy food. Two of the clinics -- Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel -- provide vouchers through associated foundations. The remaining three clinics are partnering with CareOregon for a six-week voucher pilot program that credits patients with a total of $45 to use at My Street Grocery.”  Success does leave clues and this is just another way that Whole Food is getting ‘Better for you” closer to the consumer. Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food for everyone, everywhere.  Way to go Molly!

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Steven Johnson is Grocerant Guru at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions, with extensive experience as a multi-unit operator, consultant and brand/product positioning. Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche.