Foodstation City

The primary aim of the proposal is to maximize the efficiency of food distribution at the consumption end of food system by reducing the number of individual cars making grocery trips, and employing more efficient modes of refrigerated transportation. By doing so, the proposal not only reduces the time and energy spent in individual grocery shopping but also creates highly efficient neighborhoods that gather around the new notion of "food distribution" as social activity. The food station may also house other programs such as temporary storage, restaurants, small retail shops, and other socially engaging spaces and redefine the term "corner store" into a social hub. The ultimate aim of the foodstation is to combine the convenience of online grocery shopping and delivery service with the social engagement that supermarkets provide and eliminate the necessity for a supermarket. Within the foodshed of New York State, Albany has been chosen as the ideal site for implementation. Albany, according to USDA, is categorized as a food desert whose residents lack access to supermarket and healthy food source. Ironically, one of four Sysco Distribution Centers in New York State is located only 17 miles from downtown Albany. Existing bus routes and network were utilized after slight modification addition of a few new foodstations.