[Albion Wilde]

"Arabbing" (pronounced "A - rabbing") is how Baltimore manages food deserts, very effectively and efficiently, although it has been threatened by government and now has a Arabber Preservation Society in Baltimore. Instead of helping these entrepreneurs thrive, the helpful Democrats of Philly, DC and NYC have halted arabbing although it once flourished, gave employment to blacks and was patronized by whites as well as blacks :

Video: Watch: Baltimore's Last Arabbers Selling Fruit From Horse and Buggy

Article: Arabbers: An Endangered Species

[Prov1322]

"Arabbing" (pronounced "A - rabbing") is how Baltimore manages food deserts

Interesting. In the old Frankford/Tacony neighborhood we had "Hucksters". Guys with pickups who would get fresh produce from growers in NJ (at least back in the early to mid 60's) and drive up and down the driveways of these multiple neighborhoods yelling their produce for sale. Driveways might be misleading for some...these were like streets between the row homes of Philly neighborhoods. Every "driveway" between these two streets would separate 60+ homes.

At one time the hucksters all had booming voices and just belted out what they had for sale that day. One guy in particular had such a booming voice and pattern that it was a pleasure hearing him. It was very jarring when they started using amplified systems or music jingles. Interesting times.

[GreyFriar]

And the wagon is painted John Deere green and yellow.

And no diaper on the horse

[radiohead]

When I lived in West Philly, I often bought my fruit and veg from a truck. It was cheaper and better that the chain grocery a block away. I think low cost options like the Arabbing in Baltimore or several food trucks going to these neighborhoods would have worked better and been more cost effective than whatever the govt did.

One of the problems with ‘food deserts’ - we had a chain grocery store, but it wasn’t very good. We also had people with various income levels, many of whom could have paid for a better selection. The problem in a lot of cities (at least on the east coast) is that people don’t have cars. This makes it difficult to do major shopping elsewhere if you can’t find what you want nearby.

Online shopping is helpful (I did it all the time in Seattle, being carless there as well), but I don’t know how many of these services will go to hardcore inner cities.