Michigan Central Transparency PortalOptimizing Produce Pick-Up & Drop-Off for Local Urban Farms
What were the results and learnings from this pilot?
Strong positive reception led to extension of the pilot effort and plans to expand the mobile grocery store pilot in collaboration with Wayne County. Residents valued the affordability and seasonality of produce. The pilot further validated that while automation is key to sustainable model cost structure for a Farm to Market offering, that automation wasn’t suitable for the Mobile Grocery Store pilot offering due to the relative importance that residents placed on the value of human interaction.
When will this technology be in use at Michigan Central?
The Veggie Express pilot took place over summer 2023. While the pilot has ended, the delivery program is continuing.
Where will this technology be used or implemented?
Produce from the urban farmers was transported to Oakland Ave for processing and Eastern Market for distribution. Mobile market days took place at Clement Kern Gardens.