In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the establishment of a new food distribution initiative in Fairburn, aimed at addressing local food deserts. The initiative, led by a team with over 40 years of experience in the food sector, proposes the installation of smart fridges to enhance access to fresh food in the community.

The proposed location for this initiative is on Broad Street, where the current Georgia Military College and city offices are situated. The team emphasized the importance of expanding their footprint to potentially include larger retail formats, such as big box stores, to meet community demand.

A significant concern raised during the meeting was the accessibility of the service for residents without bank accounts, particularly seniors living in nearby facilities. The initiative plans to address this issue by implementing digital payment solutions, including the acceptance of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards through a frictionless checkout system, making it the first of its kind in the country.

Funding for the project is being explored through three avenues: a revenue share with the city of Fairburn, grant funding, and a revenue share with the development authority. The estimated cost to launch the initiative is approximately $121,000, with a proposed revenue split of 70% to the initiative and 30% to the city, allowing for the initial investment to be recouped in about 1.8 months based on anticipated demand.

The initiative aims to not only provide fresh food options but also to empower the community by addressing the challenges faced by unbanked residents. The team expressed enthusiasm for the project and its potential impact on the city of Fairburn.