During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the Door to Store program, which provides free transportation to grocery stores in northwest Jacksonville. Wendy Khan from the Office of Economic Development explained that the program, developed in collaboration with JTA over the past four years, currently offers rides to specific grocery stores at no cost to consumers, with operational costs shared between the city and JTA.

The proposed amendment aims to include a new grocery store, Deb Store, set to open in September, and to broaden the service area to encompass any grocery store within the northwest boundary, rather than being limited to the North Ready ride zone. Councilmember Arias expressed support for the program and suggested exploring ways to further enhance its reach, particularly for senior citizens in his district.

Councilmember Freeman highlighted the need for ongoing discussions about grocery store accessibility in northwest Jacksonville, referencing past economic development efforts and the importance of addressing food deserts. He emphasized that while the Door to Store program is beneficial, a more sustainable solution would involve attracting grocery stores to underserved neighborhoods.

Councilmember Pittman echoed these sentiments, noting the decline of grocery stores in certain areas and advocating for the development of incentives to attract new stores, similar to those available downtown. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue working on initiatives aimed at improving food access in underserved communities, including the establishment of full-service grocery stores as part of the city's food desert programs.