Goodr deploys mobile supermarket in Virginia food desert

Tech startup Goodr is collaborating with Amazon and several other corporate partners to deploy a state-of-the-art mobile grocery store in Petersburg, Virginia, to provide nutritious meals and health and social services to residents. 

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a statement in mid-October calling the mobile store a “transformative and cutting-edge solution to tackling food insecurity in not only Petersburg but the entire Commonwealth.” 

The wheelchair-accessible, 26-foot truck is equipped with refrigerators, freezers and shelving, and is stocked with fresh grocery items, such as produce, milk, eggs and other shelf-stable items, according to the governor’s office. Residents can also receive private health screenings and social services consultations. 

The project was funded by Amazon, Anthem, Bon Secours and Comcast, but Youngkin’s office noted that Amazon was the largest donor, providing additional funds after the initial investment.  

The Atlanta, Georgia-based startup has already deployed the mobile market in areas throughout its home state, providing food to those living in food deserts, according to its founder and CEO Jasmine Crowe-Houston.  

“This new partnership with the Amazon team enables Goodr to offer those same relief services to the many food-insecure areas across Virginia,” Crowe-Houston said in a statement. “We are both excited for this new expansion and grateful to Amazon for continuing to share our vision of ending our nation’s hunger crisis.” 

Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham said the mobile grocery store is playing a substantial role in helping to feed those in need and "acts as an interim solution while the city continues its efforts to attract more grocery stores to Petersburg.” 

The tech startup also made news in April with the opening of a grocery store at Point South Middle School in suburban Atlanta. That project was made possible through a partnership with Amerigroup Georgia.