Madison City Council clears way for mobile grocery store

MADISON -- Some city neighborhoods with limited access to grocery stores could have a new option by the end of the month now that city obstacles have been removed.

The Madison City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution that allows for mobile grocery stores.

Jeff Maurer, owner of Fresh Madison Market near UW-Madison, told the State Journal last week he raised most of the $125,000 needed to buy the trailer, truck and equipment to run the nonprofit mobile grocery operation.

The mobile groceries concept is meant to combat "food deserts" by bringing affordable produce, meats and dairy to underserved neighborhoods.

Maurer's "Freshmobile" initiative was created with the Allied Drive neighborhood in mind. Since Cub Foods on Verona Road closed in 2009, many residents shop at gas stations or at Walgreens.

Maurer said he hopes to debut the mobile grocery store June 27 at the Boys and Girls Club.

On Tuesday, the council also followed the Alcohol License Review Committee's recommendations to renew licences at Segredo and Little Manhattan, which had separate weapons-related incidents.

The council voted to follow the ALRC's recommendation not to renew an alcohol license for the Orpheum Theatre.

(c)2012 The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.)

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Tags: business, food, health, wisconsin