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Tampa YMCA To Launch Veggie Van - A Mobile Market Place
Relocation Process Continues For Presbyterian Village Residents
The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is launching a mobile market place, called the Veggie Van, to meet the needs of individuals and families living in under- served areas of Hillsborough and East Pasco counties. Through a refrigerated truck, the Y will distribute fresh, nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables into targeted communities, which are la- beled food deserts. A food desert is defined as an urban neighborhood without ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food.
Currently, the Y’s Veggie Van has planned distribu- tions in the communities of Wimauma Village, Tampa Heights, Sulphur Springs and Lacoochee. Each of these locations has a demonstrated need for nutritional wellness. Other communities may be
added depending on need. Community food distribu- tions will take place every two weeks on a rotating basis.
An unveiling ceremony is planned at the Bob Gilbert- son Central City Family YMCA, 110 E. Palm Avenue in Tampa on Friday, July 10th from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., fol- lowed by an inaugural Veggie Van produce distribution for pre-qualified families from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
In March 2015, the Florida Department of Transportation began the process of relocating residents of the Presbyterian Village Apart- ment Complex in West Tampa on North Boulevard and Main Street.
FDOT purchased the complex as part of their interstate expansion project.
According to FDOT Relocation Project Man- ager, Xenia Rodriguez, the complex is only 50% occupied right now.
“We are not trying to make life unfavorable for the residents. Some have not paid their rent for the past 6-t0-7 months, and they will be getting 30-day notices to vacate the prem- ises.
“As most of the buildings close to the roads have been vacated, demolition will begin on those first. As far as the other vacant buildings are concerned, the doors and windows are locked, and we avoided boarding the doors and windows up because it doesn’t look good. We did board up the door to one building, because people had been seen going in-and-out of the empty building.”
Rodriguez said they’ve gone inside some of the units and removed mini blinds from the windows, and so far the process is moving along smoothly.
The West Tampa Alliance (WTA) commu- nity organization had contacted Rodriguez and FDOT to see if two refrigerators could be donated to the non-profit group. Rodriguez said unfortunately, they can’t do that because the law prevents it.
PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE APARTMENTS
“Generally, when we do the demolition con- tract, that company confiscates them and sells them. We can’t donate any items, but you can negotiate with the company doing the demoli- tion.”
Rodriguez said she will see if there is something that can be done to accommodate the West Tampa Alliance group, because they’d love to donate the two refrigerators.
“We can’t solicit donations, nor can we give items away, regardless of whether it’s to a non- profit group or anyone else. We can come up with a salvage value later, and we may salvage the appliances and air conditioning units. But, we can’t just give them away.
“As part of the bidding process, the demoli- tion company bids on salvaging items inside or attached to the buildings.”
Rodriguez said they have to justify hand- ing over the property, and because the WTA is asking for only two refrigerators, they will try to see if they can make that happen.
“We can’t make any promises, but we will make an effort to help the WTA.”
‘Food As Medicine’ Program Looks At Area Food Deserts
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
As part of their overall mission, Florida Hospital Carrollwood, along with 72 active partners, has initiated a study into what is com- monly known as either food deserts or food swamps.
A food desert is a commu- nity where you need a car or bus to get to a grocery store or pharmacy because neither is located close to your neigh- borhood. Also compounding the fact is the lack of bus service in areas designed as food deserts.
A food swamp is just the opposite. Those areas have an abundance of stores, and public transportation is usu- ally only a few blocks away.
Florida Hospital of Car- rollwood’s Public Relations Director, Jennifer Can- dler, said they’ve had great success in West Tampa con- ducting studies on the avail- ability of services and promoting their “food as medicine” program.
“To give people a better
example of a food desert, everyone that lives in West Tampa south of I-4 lives in a food desert. There are no pharmacies or drug stores close, public transportation is not close, and the stores that are close don’t sell fresh products. They all sell alco- hol, however.
“In tracking the areas in need of services, we’re doing it slightly different than be- fore. Aside from the commu- nity partners helping us with this project, we are also offer- ing classes for screenings.”
According to Candler, there are 43 areas in Hills- borough County considered food deserts, and the major- ity of them are in inner-city areas.
“We’re going to have nu- tritionists and others talking to people about their diet, obesity, and direct them to places where they can get healthy food. We are also considering setting up a transportation system for the food desert areas to help peo- ple get to where they need to be.”
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3