Stockbox Business Model

The first option follows the federal food and nutrition program model mixed with wholesale pricing and distribution. Philadelphia, a metropolitan area with its share of struggling neighborhoods, has tried to find success by partnering with Food Trust. For example, in 2012, the local grocery, Olivares, signed up for a program run by The Food Trust, a regional advocacy group that gets funding from a variety of public and private sources (Hargreaves, 2015). The Trust provides training on how to handle fresh produce, like not storing bananas next to apples, as apples give off ethylene, which rots the bananas. In addition, the Trust gives advice on how to sell produce, as well as training with ordering and bookkeeping (Hargreaves, 2015). In the

The company works to build a “network of stores that are the hub for fresh food, community connections, engaging experiences, and innovation in grocery” (History, 2015). Stockbox has traveled an exciting path, originating as a graduate project in 2010 at Bainbridge Graduate Institute and going on to win the University of Washington Business Plan Competition (History, 2015). In 2011, Stockbox opened a temporary prototype in a 160 square foot container in the parking lot of the Westhaven Apartments in Delridge, Seattle. In 2012, Stockbox was invited to the White House to participate in exploring innovative models to make a positive impact on the economy and society, “while serving the most vulnerable communities” (History, 2015). Stockbox officially opened its first store in a 500 square foot storefront at the corner of 14th & Cloverdale in the heart of Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. Ever since it has been hard at work to make its presence known in communities around the

Beginning as a local idea, this model also grew locally, ergo can cater to the local consumer climate much more effectively without a possible adaptation period to the area. Without explicit affiliation to regional and national organizations, Stockbox is truly a grassroots enterprise that can be molded without the confines of any other policy model. And with insight into the local scene, Stockbox only supplies the foods that customers buy most often and form the basis of meal creation. Further, it emphasizes fresh ingredients, staple products, grab and go convenience foods, and listening to customers to better customize merchandise in each store (History, 2015). Stockbox also partners with local farmers and markets creating the symbiotic relationship needed to help all parties in these neighborhoods. With more funding and research, Stockbox could be installed in other low income, low access communities and begin to curb the problems of food inaccessibility outside the city