ANNOUNCER: BRICK BY BRICK IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO LEADING SUPPORT FROM: ...AND MANY MORE.

WE COULDN'T DO THIS WORK WITHOUT YOU.

THANK YOU.

THOMPSON: HUNGER, FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD DESERTS, THESE ARE MAJOR ISSUES HOLDING BACK OUR NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN EVERY COUNTY IN THE TRI STATE REGION.

MAN: THE FACTS ON THE GROUND ARE CLEAR ABOUT WHICH KIND OF NEIGHBORHOODS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME BENEFITS OF IMMEDIATE FRESH FOOD ACCESS.

THOMPSON: DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, BETWEEN 10 AND 20% OF THE COMMUNITY IS IMPACTED, BUT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS UNDERWAY.

TRIGG: WHEN IT CAME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT CHANGED A LOT OF THINGS.

THOMPSON: FROM COMMUNITY GARDENS TO NEIGHBORHOOD DRIVEN GROCERY STORES.

ON THIS EPISODE, WE'RE SEEING HOW THESE SEEDS OF SUPPORT CAN HELP OUR NEIGHBORS GET THE NOURISHMENT THEY NEED.

FOSTER: MY REFRIGERATOR IS OVER HALF VEGETABLES RIGHT NOW.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SAY THAT IN MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.

THOMPSON: SO LET'S GET INTO IT.

THIS IS BRICK BY BRICK; SOLUTIONS FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO BRICK BY BRICK, WHERE WE HIGHLIGHT SOLUTIONS IN SOUTHWEST OHIO.

I'M ANN THOMPSON.

AS ALWAYS, WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

AND BY US, I MEAN THE WHOLE TEAM.

I HAVE ALONGSIDE ME MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST HERNZ LAGUERRE, JR. AND EMIKO MOORE.

AND HEY GUYS, IT'S BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF MONTHS AS WE HAVE PLANNED OUT A NEW SEASON OF SOLUTIONS.

LAGUERRE: FOR SURE.

YOU KNOW, THE RESEARCH WE'VE DONE THESE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS HAS TRULY BEEN FASCINATING.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE SO MANY STORIES TO SHARE WITH YOU OF HOW OUR REGION ALWAYS STEPS UP TO THE OCCASION WHEN IT COMES TO COMBATING SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN OUR TIME.

THOMPSON: AND SPEAKING OF THE CHALLENGES.

FOR THOSE AT HOME, THIS SEASON WILL BE MAINTAINING OUR FOCUS ON WAYS TO CREATE MORE HOUSING BECAUSE THAT'S STILL SORELY NEEDED.

BUT, EMIKO, WE'VE ALSO BEEN LOOKING INTO OTHER AREAS AND OTHER SOLUTIONS.

MOORE: YEAH, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU STEP BACK AND LOOK AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AROUND HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT OR THE LACK OF IT IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU START TO SEE SOME OF THE SERIOUS ISSUES THAT OVERLAY MANY OF THESE SAME BOUNDARIES.

THESE ARE THE SAME BOUNDARIES THAT WERE DEFINED BY THE 20TH CENTURY BY REDLINING, DISINVESTMENT, AND URBAN RENEWAL, AND SOMETIMES NOT.

AND WE ALL KNOW HOUSING IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE ACROSS OUR CITIES AND SUBURBS.

SO THIS SEASON, WE'RE EXPANDING OUR SOLUTIONS COVERAGE TO ALSO LOOK AT RESPONSES TO ISSUES INVOLVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

LAGUERRE: YEAH.

YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE SEASON WE'LL SEE HOW OUR THEME JUST NATURALLY INTERSECT.

AND THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR OUR SOLUTION STORIES DEALING WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

WE'LL SEE HOW NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTH, AND HOUSING ARE ALL JUST NATURALLY INTERTWINED.

THOMPSON: THERE'S PLENTY TO EXPLORE THERE, IN FACT, TOO MUCH FOR A SINGLE EPISODE.

SO LATER IN THE SEASON, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT FOOD BANKS, FOOD PANTRIES AND FOOD RESCUE.

MOORE: RIGHT.

THEY DO THE LION'S SHARE OF THE WORK AROUND SOLVING HUNGER, SO THAT'LL BE A GOOD ONE.

THOMPSON: WE'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT.

MOORE: SOUNDS GOOD.

THOMPSON: TO BEGIN, LET'S SET THE TABLE, IF YOU WILL, ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE LOCALLY.

HERE'S BROOKINGS INSTITUTE SENIOR FELLOW ADIE TOMER.

TOMER: FOOD INSECURITY IS WIDELY PREVALENT IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IMPACTS EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY WE LIVE IN, WHETHER THE SMALLEST TOWN TO THE BIGGEST CITIES AND METROPOLITAN AREAS.

ROUGHLY 13% OF U.S.

HOUSEHOLDS ARE FOOD INSECURE IN SOME WAY.

THOMPSON: WHILE THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS THE OFFICIAL MEANING OF FOOD INSECURITY IS THE LIMITED OR UNCERTAIN AVAILABILITY OF NUTRITIONALLY ADEQUATE AND SAFE FOODS, TOMER SHARES THAT THIS NEED EXISTS ON A CONTINUUM.

TOMER: IF IT'S A HOUSEHOLD WHO, LET'S SAY ONE ADULT JUST HAS TO ADJUST THEIR MEAL INTAKE AT SOME POINT, LET'S SAY IN THE WEEK OR THE MONTH, THEY ARE FOOD INSECURE.

I THINK WE ALSO PREJUDICIALLY HAVE THIS IMAGE IN OUR HEAD, RIGHT, OF QUITE LITERALLY THE ENTIRE FAMILY, YOU KNOW, ALMOST MISSING ENTIRE MEALS.

THOSE ARE THE VERY INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS AND THEY'RE ALSO PART OF THAT.

SO WE REALLY HAVE THE FULL GAMUT, NOT JUST IN PLACE, BUT ALSO IN HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION AND HOW THEY EXPERIENCE THE LACK OF FOOD ON THEIR PROVERBIAL TABLE.

THOMPSON: LOCALLY, IN HAMILTON COUNTY, NEARLY 124,000 PEOPLE FACE FOOD INSECURITY, THAT'S 15%.

IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, IT'S 16%, OR 85,000 OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

AND SOME SURROUNDING RURAL COUNTIES HAVE EVEN HIGHER RATES.

DATA FROM THE LATEST MAP THE MEAL GAP REPORT FROM THE GROUP FEEDING AMERICA SHOWS THE SOUTH IMPACTED THE MOST HEAVILY BY THIS.

ACROSS GROUPS, THE BLACK OR LATINO POPULATION HAS A HIGHER RATE THAN WHITES AT A NINE OUT OF TEN COUNTIES WITH AVAILABLE ESTIMATES.

AND SENIORS ARE AT A HEIGHTENED RISK.

MANY FOOD INSECURE PEOPLE LIVE IN FOOD DESERTS, AREAS WHICH HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND HEALTHY OPTIONS.

IN CINCINNATI, THAT GENERALLY TAKES IN AVONDALE, NORTH FAIRMOUNT, OVER-THE-RHINE, WALNUT HILLS AND OTHERS.

IN DAYTON, ITS WEST DAYTON, TAKING IN WESTWOOD, PINEVIEW, LAKEVIEW AND MORE.

IN ADDITION TO HARDSHIPS OF ACCESS, COSTS ARE ALSO CHALLENGING EVERYONE.

THE AVERAGE COST OF A MEAL IN THE US IS $3.58, ACCORDING TO 2023 DATA.

IN HAMILTON COUNTY IT'S $0.10 MORE, IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IT'S $0.08 LESS.

IMPACT WISE RESEARCH SHOWS HUNGER AND HEALTH ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED.

MORE THAN HALF THE HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY THE GROUP FEEDING AMERICA HAVE AT LEAST ONE MEMBER LIVING WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND A THIRD OF A FAMILY MEMBER WITH DIABETES.

SO YOU CAN SEE HOW THE ABILITY TO EAT HEALTHY IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE, NOT JUST TO THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

FEW FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT INTERACT WITH TODAY'S SOLUTIONS ARE THE GOVERNMENT'S SNAP BENEFITS OR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND WIC OR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM.

LOW INCOME FAMILIES DESPERATELY NEED THIS ADDITIONAL GROCERY MONEY, AND THEY WORRY SOME OF THAT AID MIGHT BE CUT OFF.

SO WE'LL NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE IMPACT OF ANY CHANGES.

AGAIN, TODAY WE'RE FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY MARKETS AND GARDENS.

TO DO THAT, WE WELCOME BACK HERNZ.

HERNZ, I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO DON'T HAVE FULL SERVICE GROCERY STORES THERE.

AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THEM?

LAGUERRE: YEAH, AND YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THAT, THESE FOLKS ONLY HAVE ACCESS TO ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS FROM THE CORNER STORES OR THE GAS STATIONS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO GO TO SOME OF THE BIGGER GROCERY STORES.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THAT IMPACTS NOT ONLY THEIR HEALTH, BUT THEIR WALLET BECAUSE OF THE HIGH PRICES AND THE FAR DISTANCES THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL TO GET TO THOSE GROCERY STORES.

THOMPSON: BUT THERE ARE SMALLER COMMUNITY GROCERY STORES THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND YOU'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THE OPERATORS IN CINCINNATI AND DAYTON.

WHAT DID YOU FIND?

LAGUERRE: YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THESE FOOD MARKETS ARE LIKE LIFELINES TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WE CONNECTED WITH A STORE IN LOWER PRICE HILL AND OLD DAYTON.

NOT ONLY DID THEY GIVE ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF FOOD, BUT THEY ENHANCED THE LIFESTYLE OF THE COMMUNITY.

MEISER'S FRESH GROCERY AND DELI, LOCATED IN LOWER PRICE HILL, GIVES OUT PACKAGED FREE MEALS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, AS EXPLAINED BY SITE DIRECTOR JASMINE TAYLOR.

TAYLOR: EVERY TUESDAY AT 6 P.M. WE CREATE A MEAL WHETHER IT BE FROM THE FREE PRODUCTS THAT WE RECEIVE OR FREE PRODUCE THAT WE RECEIVE, WE MAKE SURE EVERY TUESDAY EVERYBODY HAS A HOT MEAL THROUGHOUT THIS LOWER PRICE HILL COMMUNITY.

LAGUERRE: RUN BY THE CINCINNATI NONPROFIT CALLED YOUR STORE OF THE QUEEN CITY, MEISER OFFERS 50 TO 100 OF THESE FREE COMMUNITY MEALS ON TUESDAYS TO HELP RESIDENTS IN NEED.

TAYLOR: WE ALSO HAVE HUSBANDS THAT COME IN AND THEIR WIVES MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO COOK BECAUSE THEY'RE EXPERIENCING SOME TYPE OF ILLNESS, AND SOMETIMES THESE KIDS HAVEN'T ATE ALL DAY.

SO THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY FROM MEISERS IN MY OPINION.

LAGUERRE: ALSO OFFERING A BIG CONTRIBUTION TO THEIR COMMUNITY IS GEM CITY MARKET IN THE OLD DAYTON NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS MARKET OPERATES AS A CO-OP, WHICH IS A GROCERY STORE OWNED BY THE FOLKS IN THE AREA.

THIS ALLOWS GEM CITY TO NOT ONLY SERVE THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALLOWS THE COMMUNITY TO BE A MAJOR PART OF THAT SERVICE.

SELLASSIE: TO ME, COOPERATION IS A MORAL FORCE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.

LAGUERRE: THE BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE CO-OP, AMAHA SELLASSIE SAYS CO-OWNING THE MARKET WITH THE COMMUNITY IS PART OF THE EFFORT TO OVERCOME SYSTEMIC DISPARITIES.

SELLASSIE: IN AN AREA THAT'S BEEN UNDERDEVELOPED, ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT YOU'RE FIGHTING IS, LIKE, THE TRUST ISSUE.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF OVERPROMISING AND UNDER-DELIVERING, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

THERE'S LIKE A TRAUMA THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED.

HOW DO WE SHIFT TO THE COMMUNITY SEEING THEMSELVES AS DEVELOPERS?

LAGUERRE: SO HOW ESSENTIAL ARE THESE MARKETS?

JASMINE DESCRIBED IT AS A LIFELINE.

TAYLOR: IF THEY NEED MEDICATION, EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE IT ON HAND, WE WILL ORDER IT FOR THEM BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GET IT.

LAGUERRE: THESE AREAS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY ARE OFTEN IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES.

SO I WONDER, HOW DO YOU SUSTAIN THE BUSINESS OF THE STORE?

SELLASSIE: YEAH, I THINK THAT IS THE CHALLENGE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE OF OUR LACK OF ACCESS TO SUPPLY CHAINS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT'S HARD TO GET THE BUYING POWER TO LOWER THE COST OF THE GOODS.

LAGUERRE: TO HELP INCOME STRICKEN CUSTOMERS, THE MEISER STORE HAS A SECTION THAT OFFERS FREE PRODUCE AND FREE PACKAGED MEALS, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR 40 TO 50% OF THEIR INVENTORY.

BUT THE MARKET THEMSELVES NEED HELP AS WELL.

TAYLOR: WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR AS MANY DONATIONS AND GRANTS AS POSSIBLE.

WE ARE ABOUT ROUGHLY OFF 20-30,000 FOR WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO OBTAIN FOR OUR WHOLE YEAR.

LAGUERRE: AND GEM CITY CURRENTLY SERVICES 2400 PATRONS A WEEK, MAKING ABOUT $50,000 A WEEK IN SALES.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEET THEIR WEEKLY GOALS.

SELLASSIE: I THINK WE'RE SUSTAINABLE BETWEEN LIKE 65-70,000 A WEEK.

AND IT'S DOABLE, LIKE, WE'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE, BUT WE HAVEN'T, LIKE, SUSTAINED IT.

LAGUERRE: AND WITH THE PASSING OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S RECONCILIATION BILL, THESE MARKETS MAY FACE MORE HURDLES WITH POTENTIAL CUTS TO PROGRAMS LIKE THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS SNAP, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR 25% OF TRANSACTIONS WITH GEM CITY AND 35-45% OF TRANSACTIONS WITH MEISER.

ANY REDUCTION TO THESE FEDERAL BENEFITS COULD GREATLY IMPACT THE MARKET'S SUSTAINABILITY AND THE MOST VULNERABLE PATRONS.

THE WORKERS AT THESE MARKETS SEE THE NEED FIRSTHAND, INCLUDING GEM CITY COMMUNITY COORDINATOR JALISA ROBINSON.

ROBINSON: THIS BUILDING RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, THERE ARE A LOT OF SENIORS IN THAT BUILDING WHO ARE ABLE TO EASILY GET OVER HERE AND GET ACCESS TO FRESH FOODS.

THERE ARE A LOT MORE HEALTHY OPTIONS HERE AT GEM CITY MARKET VERSUS, LIKE, THE CORNER STORES OR THE GAS STATION, AND THAT'S ALL THAT WE HAD FOR A LONG TIME.

LAGUERRE: AND ALMIRA DARDEN, STORE ADMINISTRATOR AT MEISER, REMINDS US THAT ANYONE COULD BECOME FOOD INSECURE.

DARDIN: THIS COMMUNITY IS EXPERIENCING A MAJOR FOOD DESERT, AND IT'S A GREAT THING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES TO ASSIST THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED IT MOST.

AND I MEAN, WE'RE ALL, YOU KNOW, ONE STEP IN, ONE STEP OUT FROM EXPERIENCING THOSE SAME THINGS.

LAGUERRE: AND THE PATRONS FROM BOTH STORES SAY THE PROXIMITY OF THESE MARKETS GIVE THEM MUCH NEEDED CONVENIENCE.

TRIGG: WHEN IT CAME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT CHANGED A LOT OF THINGS.

SO I DON'T HAVE TO GO WORRY ABOUT HOW TO GET TO THE STORE.

I CAN WALK HERE.

HABIG: I ACTUALLY DO HAVE A CAR, BUT MY CAR IS BROKE DOWN CURRENTLY.

WITH IT BEING SO CLOSE BY, YOU KNOW, I JUST CAN WALK DOWN HERE.

TAYLOR-BROWN: THEY DON'T USE MONEY AS LIKE A BARRIER.

THEY WERE LIKE, "OH, IF YOU CAN'T GET THIS, WE GOT FREE STUFF FOR YOU.

SO YOU CAN, YOU CAN STILL EAT."

MACKEY: IT'S A PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE STAKE IN IT.

THERE'S NO OTHER GROCERY STORES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE STAKE IN.

LAGUERRE: THESE MARKERS ARE PROOF THAT DESPITE SOCIOECONOMIC PROBLEMS A NEIGHBORHOOD MAY FACE, THE SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND IN THE COMMUNITY.

SELLASSIE: THERE'S POWER IN HOPE, RIGHT?

POWER I'M DEFINING AS LIKE OUR ABILITY TO CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND US, RIGHT?

THE MORE I BELIEVE I HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THE CONDITIONS AROUND ME, THE MORE I'M GOING TO ACT TO ACTUALLY CHANGE IT.

LAGUERRE: BOTH MARKETS ARE LOOKING TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN THEIR STORE, TO INCREASE ACCESS TO FOOD OPTIONS FOR THEIR PATRONS, AND TO INCREASE THEIR REVENUE.

LATE THIS SUMMER, MEISER BEGAN SELLING LOW COST HOT MEALS, AND THEY ALSO PLAN ON SETTING UP AN INTERNATIONAL SECTION OF THE STORE TO EXPAND SOME OPTIONS.

GEM CITY HAS A FOUR YEAR PLAN IN ORDER TO GET TO SUSTAINABILITY.

THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR ANNUAL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER THAT IS OPEN TO ALL 5000 PLUS MEMBERS OF THEIR CO-OP TO SHARE IDEAS AND GIVE THEIR FEEDBACK.

ANN.

THOMPSON: YEAH, THANKS FOR THAT STORY.

HERNZ, I'M WONDERING IF AMAHA AND JASMINE SHARED WITH YOU THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF THE GROCERY STORE.

LAGUERRE: YEAH, YOU KNOW, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT AMAHA TOLD ME.

HE SAID WORKING THE MARGINS OF A GROCERY STORE ARE HARD BECAUSE THEY'RE SO LOW.

HE TOLD ME THAT IF YOU MAKE $0.03 TO A DOLLAR, YOU'RE DOING WELL FOR YOURSELF.

AND I'LL QUOTE HIM.

HE SAID, "YOU'RE COOKING WITH HOT GREASE IF YOU GET TO THAT POINT."

AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT BOTH AMAHA AND JASMINE TOLD ME ABOUT THE CHALLENGE IN WORKING WITH VENDORS TO MAKE SURE YOU GET EXACTLY WHAT YOUR PATRONS LIKE.

SO IN GENERAL, BEING A GROCER IS HARD.

AND LATER DURING THE TAKEAWAYS, I'LL SHARE HOW BOTH MEISER AND GEM CITY WILL BE FACING SOME CHALLENGES IN THE FUTURE AND WAYS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN HELP.

THOMPSON: THANKS, HERNZ.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

LAGUERRE: YES, MA'AM.

THOMPSON: AS WE JUST SAW IN HERNZ'S REPORT, MARKETS STRUGGLE TO STAY OPEN.

AND THERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES.

FOR INSTANCE, PROPUBLICA AND CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS LOOKED AT 24 STORES IN 18 STATES, INCLUDING OHIO.

AND DESPITE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SUBSIDIES FROM STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS, MANY CLOSED THEIR DOORS SOON AFTER OPENING OR DON'T OPEN AT ALL.

MANY CITE LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND VENDOR ISSUES AS KEY CHALLENGES.

MEANWHILE, A FEW CITIES ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERING GOVERNMENT OWNED GROCERY STORES RATHER THAN INCENTIVIZING PRIVATE OPERATORS.

CHICAGO IS DOING A FEASIBILITY STUDY, AND NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL CANDIDATE ZORAN MANDANI HAS PROPOSED THEM IN ALL FIVE OF THE CITY'S BOROUGHS.

A FEW OTHER STATES ARE ALSO INCENTIVIZING GROCERY STORES IN FOOD DESERTS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

ALONG WITH THE BUSINESS MODEL CHALLENGE, ANOTHER LIMITATION MENTIONED BY RESEARCHERS IS THAT NOT EVERYONE SHOPS AT THE NEAREST STORE TO THEM, POSSIBLY REDUCING THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF A STORE EVEN IN FOOD DESERTS WHERE THE NEED IS HIGH.

HOWEVER, A BIT OF AI MAY BE ABLE TO HELP ALLEVIATE THAT PLACE BASED SHOPPING BEHAVIOR CONCERN.

RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO AND UC SAN DIEGO ARE HELPING FOOD ENTREPRENEURS WITH AN AI POWERED PLATFORM CALLED NOURISH.

IT'S DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO OPEN FRESH FOOD OUTLETS IN FOOD DESERTS, SUGGESTING ACCESS TO LOANS AND GRANTS AND ONLINE MAPS THAT OPTIMIZE THE PLACEMENT OF STORES FOR FOOT TRAFFIC.

UC SAN DIEGO RESEARCH SCIENTIST AMARNATH GUPTA HELPED DEVELOP THE SOFTWARE, AND THAT'S WHERE IT'S BEING TESTED.

HE SAYS THERE ARE TWO WAYS THE PLATFORM IS BEING USED.

ONE WITH A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND ANOTHER DIRECTLY WITH AN ENTREPRENEUR.

GUPTA: SO SOMEBODY HAS AN URBAN GARDEN AND WE ARE WORKING WITH ONE SUCH GROUP.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH US TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN INCUBATE A NEW BUSINESS AROUND THEIR URBAN GARDEN, PLUS HOW THEY CAN FORM A PARTNERSHIP NETWORK WITH OTHER FOOD PRODUCERS SO THAT THEY CAN CREATE SORT OF A FOOD COURT TYPE OF BUSINESS.

SCHMIDT: COMING IN THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR WE'LL BE MOVING TOWARDS SCALING IT UP AND BRINGING IT TO COMMUNITIES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE LOOKED IN PLANNING FOR HOW WE'RE GOING TO SCALE THIS.

ONE OF THE BIG FACTORS THAT WE'RE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT IS WHERE THE GREATEST NEED IS.

THOMPSON: AS THEY SCALE UP, NORRIS WILL START BY LOOKING AT PLACES LIKE TEXAS, PARTS OF NEW YORK TO CHICAGO AND DETROIT WHERE NEED IS HIGH.

ANOTHER WAY THAT COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BRINGING HEALTHY, FRESH OPTIONS TO THEIR BLOCKS IS THROUGH A MORE HANDS ON APPROACH, COMMUNITY AND URBAN GARDENS.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ONE OF THESE IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE ARE MANY AROUND THE REGION AND FOR GOOD REASON.

THE AREA IS GOOD FOR AGRICULTURE.

PLUS THE GARDENS ARE ABLE TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE, POSITIVE IMPACT FOR FOLKS THAT WORK THE SOIL.

AND WHEN EXTRA PRODUCE IS GROWN, IT CAN BE SHARED BEYOND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

ADD TO THE HUNGER RESPONSE THE FACT THAT THESE TYPES OF GARDENS ALSO SUPPORT THE ECONOMY AND HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

ON THE FINANCIAL SIDE, A 2016 REPORT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY FOUND GARDENERS NOT ONLY CONSUME MORE VEGETABLES BY GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD, BUT ALSO SAVED ON AVERAGE $92 A MONTH FROM A BACKYARD GARDEN AND $84 A MONTH WHEN GROWING VEGETABLES AT A COMMUNITY GARDEN.

SOME SAY IT'S NOT ONLY ABOUT FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD ACCESS, BUT RATHER NUTRITION SECURITY AND NUTRITION ACCESS.

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST EMIKO MOORE JOINS US IN THE STUDIO NOW.

AND EMIKO MOORE, YOU'VE BEEN SPENDING SOME TIME LOOKING AT GOOD EXAMPLES OF THE SOLUTION IN DAYTON.

MOORE: YES, ANN, THERE ARE ACTUALLY MANY INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY GARDENS IN THE DAYTON AREA.

ONE IS THE MISSION OF MARY COOPERATIVE, WHICH WAS STARTED IN 2007 BY FOUR UD GRADUATES INTERESTED IN GETTING TO KNOW THEIR TWIN TOWERS NEIGHBORS.

WHAT THEY SAW OVER TIME WAS A LACK OF ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD AND MANY VACANT LOTS.

SO THEY DECIDED TO USE THE LAND TO GROW COMMUNITY GARDENS AND SHARE THE BOUNTY.

TODAY THEY HARVEST 35 TONS OF FRESH PRODUCE ANNUALLY, BENEFITING NOT JUST THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT MANY IN THE DAYTON AREA.

AMID ROWS OF GARDEN VEGETABLES AND FRUIT TREES, RESIDENTS OF DAYTON TWIN TOWERS NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERED ON A CLEAR SUMMER EVENING TO ENJOY THE ANNUAL SUMMER POTLUCK HOSTED BY THE MISSION OF MARY COOPERATIVE, ALSO KNOWN AS MMC.

MICHAEL SCHULTZ, THE CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAS LIVED IN THE SOUTHEAST DAYTON NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS, WORKING TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL AS LOCAL GARDENS FULL OF NUTRIENT DENSE PRODUCE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SCHULZ: WE'RE TRYING TO THROW EVENTS LIKE THAT TO BUILD COMMUNITY OR CULTIVATING COMMUNITY WITH THESE GROWERS AND NEIGHBORS.

MOORE: FOR RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD, MMC OFFERS TWO FREE PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY GARDEN SPACES FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A YARD, OR A BACKYARD GARDEN PROGRAM, IN WHICH MMC BUILDS RESIDENTS A GARDEN PLOT IN THEIR YARD AND SUPPLIES SEEDS AND TOOLS.

CECILY FOSTER, A NURSE AND MOTHER OF THREE, HAS ALWAYS WANTED A GARDEN.

FOSTER: AND THERE WERE TIMES WE HAD NO FOOD IN THE HOUSE AND WE HAD A NEIGHBOR WITH A GARDEN AND SHE WOULD GIVE US HER VEGETABLES.

I AT SO MUCH FRIED GREEN TOMATOES AS A KID.

BUT I ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT JUST IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR GARDEN, YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE.

SO I'VE ALWAYS JUST WANTED THAT SECURITY AS WELL TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, IF COVID HIT OR SOMETHING ELSE HIT, I CAN GO OUTSIDE AND FEED MY FAMILY.

MOORE: FOSTER WAS THRILLED WHEN MMC BUILT A GARDEN IN HER BACKYARD.

HER FOOD CHOICES SPROUTED RAPIDLY.

FOSTER: THEN THIS IS OUR GOLDEN AREA.

I HAVE GOLDEN TOMATOES.

THAT'S MISS GOLDEN JIM, MISS GOLDEN GLOW, AND THIS IS GOLDEN CRUNCH.

IT'S GOING TO BE GOLD PEPPERS.

THIS IS EVERYONE'S FAVORITE FRIEND, JOSE JALAPENO.

EVERYONE LOVES JOSE JALAPENO.

WE JUST PULLED SOME OFF OF HIM, BUT HE HAS A BABY GROWING RIGHT THERE.

MOORE: FOSTER HAS INTRODUCED HEALTHIER FOODS TO HER FAMILY AND IS CREATING LIFE CHANGING HABITS.

FOSTER: SO THESE ARE THINGS WE JUST NEVER, EVER, EVER HAD ACCESS TO.

THEY'VE NEVER SEEN ALL THESE VEGETABLES.

MY REFRIGERATOR IS OVER HALF VEGETABLES RIGHT NOW.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SAY THAT IN MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.

MOORE: WORKING TO CREATE FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD SOURCES, MMC OBTAINED ACCESS TO VACANT PROPERTY, IMPROVED THE SOIL HEALTH, AND BUILD 169 GARDEN BEDS ACROSS SIX SITES.

SCHULZ: YEAH, WE USE SUSTAINABLE REGENERATIVE PRACTICES BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS THE HEALTHIER YOUR SOIL IS AND THE WAY YOU ACTUALLY GROW, THE HEALTHIER YOUR PRODUCE IS, THE MORE NUTRIENT DENSITY IT HAS, ALSO, THE BETTER IT TASTES.

AND THAT'S A BIG WIN FOR THE COMMUNITY WE'RE SERVING.

MOORE: FOSTER IS EXPANDING HER CULINARY REPERTOIRE WHILE CUTTING HER GROCERY BILL IN HALF.

FOSTER: I WENT OUTSIDE, PICKED SOME KALE AND SOME CABBAGE AND SOME MUSTARD GREENS, SAUTEED THEM UP WITH SOME ONIONS THAT I GOT FROM THE COMMUNITY GARDEN, AND IT WAS AN AMAZING SIDE DISH.

MOORE: THE QUALITY OF FOOD GREATLY IMPACTS LONG TERM HEALTH.

40% OF THE RESIDENTS IN TWIN TOWERS LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, WITH A MEDIAN INCOME OF $18,000.

SCHULZ: NOT ALL FOODS ARE EQUAL, AND SO WHEN YOU ASK YOURSELF WHY DO PEOPLE IN POVERTY HAVE HIGHER RATES OF CHRONIC DISEASE, OBESITY, IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY WANT THAT, BUT THE FOOD THAT'S ACCESSIBLE TO THEM FOR SURVIVAL IS NOT HELPING THEIR HEALTH OUTCOMES.

MOORE: ONCE A THRIVING AREA IN THE 1950S, TWIN TOWERS WAS ECONOMICALLY DEVASTATED AS INDUSTRIES LEFT AND CONSTRUCTION OF US RT 35 FURTHER SEPARATED THE COMMUNITY FROM DAYTON.

SCHULZ: PEOPLE HAVE SEEN US BUILD THIS FROM THE GROUND UP ON LAND THAT WAS EMPTY FOR 30, 40 YEARS, THAT WAS DUMPED ON.

AND WHAT MISSION MARY TRIES TO DO WITH THE CHALLENGES AND THE REALITIES IS SAY, "HOW DO WE REDESIGN A CITY, IN THIS CASE A NEIGHBORHOOD, FOR THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE?"

MOORE: TODAY, WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THEY PROVIDE OVER 70,000 POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE ANNUALLY TO THE COMMUNITY.

IN ADDITION, THEIR WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET AND THEIR BOXED PRODUCE SUBSCRIPTION, OR CSA, PROVIDES REVENUE TO THE ORGANIZATION.

SCHULZ: EVERY WEDNESDAY, WE PACK OVER 100 BOXES FOR FAMILIES, AND WE OFFER RECIPES WITH ANY PRODUCE THAT'S IN SEASON, AND THEY COME PICK THAT UP AT OUR FARM.

MOORE: TWIN TOWERS RESIDENTS GET REDUCED RATES AND CAN USE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH SNAP OR EBT TO PAY.

SCHULZ: WE'VE TAUGHT HUNDREDS OF KIDS AND FAMILIES HOW TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD.

THAT'S A GENERATIONAL IMPACT.

BUT IF WE'VE EMPOWERED SOME NEIGHBORS TO BE SERVANT LEADERS AS WELL, TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEIR OWN COMMUNITY AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER LONG LASTING IMPACT TO HELP MAKE THAT PROGRAMING SUSTAINABLE.

FOSTER: AND I NO LONGER, ESPECIALLY WITH THE GARDEN, I NO LONGER JUST LOOK AT THIS AS MY HOUSE.

I'M LIKE, Y'ALL, THIS IS OUR LAND.

BECAUSE ONCE YOU GROW SOMETHING, ONCE, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO GROW IT FOREVER.

THAT'S WHAT THE SEEDS ARE FOR AND THAT IS THE JOY OF IT.

ONCE YOU DO IT, ONCE, YOUR FOOD IS FREE.

FOREVER.

FOREVER.

MOORE: THE MISSION OF MARY COOPERATIVE HAS INSTALLED MORE THAN 120 BACKYARD GARDEN BEDS AND 22 COMMUNITY GARDEN BEDS FOR THE RESIDENTS.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF GARDENERS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

IN ADDITION, THEY SERVE MORE THAN 100 FAMILIES THROUGH THEIR CSA VEGGIE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM.

AND YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A RESIDENT OF TWIN TOWERS TO PARTICIPATE, BUT THEY DO HAVE A WAITING LIST RIGHT NOW.

AND AS MENTIONED, THE TWIN TOWERS RESIDENTS GET A REDUCED RATE FOR THE WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET PRODUCE, SO THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GET FRESH, AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR THESE FAMILIES.

ANN, BACK TO YOU.

THOMPSON: THANKS, EMIKO.

EFFORTS TO CREATE URBAN GARDENS IN CINCINNATI ARE ALSO GROWING.

IN FACT, THE VISION OF ONE MAN IS PROVIDING A HALF DOZEN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH FRESH VEGETABLES.

DOM PEEBLES HAS A HUNGER TO FEED PEOPLE.

IN THE MIDDLE OF CINCINNATI NEIGHBORHOODS AND IN THIS CASE, A COLLEGE CAMPUS, XAVIER UNIVERSITY, HE'S CREATED FARMS TO DO JUST THAT.

I SEE BEATS AND WHAT ELSE DO WE HAVE?

PEEBLES: TOMATO PLANTS.

EVERYBODY LIKES TOMATO PLANTS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS.

WE'VE GOT SOME BASIL OVER THERE.

WE'VE GOT SOME LEAFY GREENS, WATERMELONS.

ON THE SIDES THERE IS WHERE THE POTATO PATCHES ARE.

THOMPSON: PEEBLES REALIZED NOT EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO OR CAN AFFORD GROCERY STORE PRICES.

THAT'S WHEN BRICK GARDENS WAS BORN, THANKS TO A GRANT FROM PEOPLE'S LIBERTY.

MUCH OF WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS GOING TO AREA FOOD PANTRIES.

PEEBLES: WE CAME UP WITH A VERY AMBITIOUS GOAL THAT WE WANTED TO DONATE AT LEAST 100,000 POUNDS OF PRODUCE.

WE IN THE YEARS HAVE ALWAYS SET THE GOAL WHERE WE THOUGHT IT WAS UNATTAINABLE JUST TO TRY TO GET AS CLOSE TO IT AS POSSIBLE.

AND WE'VE HIT THE GOAL EVERY YEAR.

THOMPSON: DOWN THE STREET, ST. ANTHONY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOOD PANTRY BENEFITS AS WORKERS DELIVER IT.

THAT'S WHERE WANDA HUSBAND IS IN LINE TWO HOURS BEFORE IT OPENS.

SHE SAYS IT GIVES HER ANOTHER HEALTHY MEAL TO HAVE.

HUSBAND: THEY'RE ARE ALWAYS A WELCOME ADDITION IN MY HOME, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE GOING TO KROGER'S, THEY'RE SO HIGH.

SOME THINGS YOU CAN'T AFFORD.

THOMPSON: INSIDE THE FOOD PANTRY, MANAGER JACKIE PARRISH IS BUSY LAYING IT ALL OUT.

SO, JACKIE, WHAT WAS BROUGHT IN TODAY?

PARRISH: TODAY, THE COMMUNITY GARDEN BROUGHT US SOME BELL PEPPERS, WHICH OUR PATRONS LOVE.

THERE'S OTHER HOT PEPPERS, FRESH HERBS, KALE, AND LOTS OF TOMATOES.

SO OUR PATRONS REALLY LOVE THE TOMATOES AND PEPPERS.

THOMPSON: BACK AT BRICK GARDENS, PEEBLES IS ALREADY PLANNING THE NEXT URBAN FARM IN WALNUT HILLS.

HE HAS OTHERS IN MADISONVILLE AND BOND HILL AND A MUSHROOM FACILITY IN NORTHSIDE.

PEEBLES: I THINK THAT URBAN AGRICULTURE AS A TOOL TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES, TO BUILD BETTER CITIES, I THINK THAT'S A HUGE TOOL THAT EVERY CITY SHOULD BE LOOKING AT USING.

THOMPSON: AND THERE'S ANOTHER BENEFIT, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.

TEENS FROM LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES AND GROUNDWORK OHIO RIVER VALLEY WORK THE LAND.

THESE PARTNERSHIPS EMPOWER PEOPLE TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING.

OF COURSE, WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THIS EFFORT AND OTHERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON BRICK BY BRICK.

IT'S OUR FAVORITE TIME OF THE SHOW AGAIN, WHEN WE COME TOGETHER TO TALK TAKEAWAYS AROUND THE SOLUTIONS.

WE'RE TALKING MARKETS AND GARDENS.

EMIKO?

MOORE: YES, WELL WITH WELL RUN AND MAINTAINED COMMUNITY GARDENS, NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE HEALTHIER AND AFFORDABLE FOOD CHOICES WHICH IMPACT YOUR LONG TERM HEALTH, IT ALSO HAS A COMMUNITY BUILDING ASPECT TO IT.

I NOTICED THAT PEOPLE WERE GOING OUTSIDE MORE.

GARDENERS WERE SHARING GARDEN TIPS WITH EACH OTHER, RECIPES.

IF YOU HAD EXTRA PRODUCE, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO GO AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR.

SO THERE WAS THIS BUILDING OF SOCIAL CONNECTIONS.

ALSO, I NOTICED THAT MANY TALKED ABOUT HOW GARDENING WAS REALLY A WAY FOR THEM TO DE-STRESS AND KIND OF JUST RELAX.

LAGUERRE: YEAH, THAT SOUNDS REALLY THERAPEUTIC.

MOORE: IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

SO IT REALLY HELPS THEM FEED A LOT MORE THAN JUST THEIR BODIES.

THOMPSON: ONE LIMITATION TO EXPANDING URBAN GARDENS IS THE LAND PART OF IT.

BUT CINCINNATI AND DOM PEEBLES SEEMS TO HAVE A GOOD SOLUTION.

HE HAS CONNECTED WITH SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES TO SEE IF HE CAN DO A TEN YEAR LEASE WITH THEM, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

YOU KNOW, HERNZ, IN TERMS OF MARKETS, IN YOUR PIECE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT SOME CHALLENGES AND THEY WERE PRIMARILY ECONOMIC.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER CHALLENGES?

LAGUERRE: YEAH, THERE'S THIS OHIO BASED PROGRAM THAT BENEFITS BOTH PATRONS AND MARKETS ALIKE.

IT'S CALLED PRODUCE PERKS, AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH A SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAM FOR EBT AND SNAP PURCHASES SO THAT PATRONS CAN GET MORE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

SINCE 2017, THERE'S BEEN $18 MILLION WORTH OF HEALTHY FOOD SALES IN FARMERS MARKETS AND GROCERY STORES COMBINED.

NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, EARLIER THIS YEAR THERE'S BEEN CUTS TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND THAT'S AFFECTING THIS PROGRAM, PRODUCE PERKS AND ITS FUTURE.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND THE CUTS, AND TO KNOW WHAT EFFORTS ARE BEING DONE IN ORDER TO REINSTATE THESE FUNDS, YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND LEARN MORE.

THOMPSON: ALL RIGHT, WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THAT.

WELL, THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU FOR FOLLOWING THESE SOLUTIONS.

LAGUERRE: NO PROBLEM.

MOORE: THANK YOU.

THOMPSON: AND THANK YOU AT HOME FOR JOINING US FOR SEASON TWO OF BRICK BY BRICK.

FOR THOSE WATCHING, YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND US HERE AT 9 P.M. ON THURSDAYS AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH TWO NEW EPISODES A MONTH.

FOR RESOURCES, ARTICLES AND EXTRAS, AS ALWAYS, HEAD TO THE BRICK BY BRICK WEBPAGE AT THINKTV.ORG OR CETCONNECT.ORG.

WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE SOLUTIONS SOON.

UNTIL THEN, TAKE CARE.

Captions: Maverick Captioning CIN OH maverickcaptioning.com