Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Lyft transportation service has expanded the Lyft Grocery Access program, to help people with transportation limitations get access to healthy food.
The company says Lyft City Works is part of its “commitment to build cities around people, not cars.”
“We believe it’s our civic responsibility to address key problems our communities are facing through better access to transportation, with the goal of improving city life,” said the Lyft website.
“One of the key ways we’re focused on achieving this vision is by improving access to healthy food through the Lyft Grocery Access Program,” the website said. “The program started with a successful pilot in D.C. last year, providing thousands of affordable rides to grocery stores for local families, and has since expanded to Atlanta. Realizing the positive impact the program can have in just one community, and how pervasive of an issue this is—affecting approximately 23.5 million people in the U.S.—we’re launching the program in more than a dozen cities across the country, and soon rolling out to more markets throughout North America.”
“The Lyft Grocery Access Program is an innovative partnership that aligns with our mission to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities,” said Tiffany Williams, chief programs officer at Martha’s Table. “By offering discounted flat-rate rides to three full-service grocery stores and to Martha’s Table Market, the program has helped to reduce the time, transportation and financial barriers to healthy food access.”
Through the expansion, Lyft will work with local organizations and nonprofits to provide low-income families and seniors living in food deserts with deeply discounted flat fare rides to get to and from grocery stores.
“This groundbreaking initiative will connect families in food deserts to healthy grocery options that they would otherwise not be able to access,” said Asha Walker, executive director of Health in the Hood. “Lyft and Health in the Hood are creating healthier communities one ride at a time.”
More cities are coming later this year; the cities included in the national launch are:
• Atlantic City
• Baltimore
• Chicago
• Columbus
• Detroit
• Indianapolis
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• Ottawa
• Philadelphia
• Phoenix
• Portland
• Richmond
• Toronto
