Ann Arbor Times

New research conducted by the University of Michigan explores the potential for grocery delivery services to enhance food access in Detroit. Currently, 32% of the city's residents live a mile or further from a full-service grocery store, presenting a challenge for food accessibility. The study, carried out by the U-M Center for Racial Justice and Poverty Solutions, surveyed Detroit residents to understand their use and views regarding online grocery delivery services.

Erykah Benson, a doctoral candidate in sociology and research fellow at the Center for Racial Justice, co-authored the research brief with Love Lundy, a U-M graduate student in public policy. Benson commented, "More and more people are doing their grocery shopping online instead of in person, and we wanted to understand if grocery delivery can help address food insecurity or if it’s mainly a perk for people who already have consistent access to food."

Key findings indicate that 39% of Detroiters have used online grocery delivery services. This is particularly significant among those facing transportation challenges or who receive food assistance. A 72-year-old participant noted their dependency on deliveries during illness, underscoring the service's importance for individuals with health issues or disabilities.

However, adoption is not without barriers. Cost remains a significant hurdle, with 45% of surveyed individuals citing expense as a limiting factor. Differences in perceptions of cost impact were observed based on transportation challenges, with 69% of those facing considerable challenges highlighting cost barriers, compared to only 37% of those without transportation challenges. Trust in delivery service quality was also a concern for 44% of participants.

Only seven grocery stores in Detroit currently facilitate food stamp transactions for online delivery, as most are independently owned. Researchers suggest incentivizing more stores to accept food stamps online, as well as reducing delivery costs, which Lundy believes could provide substantial benefits. "Policymakers could help by ensuring food stamps continue to be redeemable online and encouraging more businesses to participate in the online redemption program," Lundy stated.

Improving the usability of delivery apps is another area for development, especially for those with disabilities, 23% of whom reported difficulties compared to 14% without disabilities. Despite these challenges, Benson noted, “Online grocery delivery can enhance convenience, but its impact may be limited since many people prefer to shop in person and see it as a social activity.”

The findings offer insights into making grocery delivery a more integral part of improving food access in Detroit, emphasizing the potential benefits of such services for specific groups within the community.