Tulsa Economic Development Corporation

PROJECT PURPOSE

Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) is a catalyst for building economic prosperity in under-resourced and underestimated communities. The organization empowers people, enables small businesses, and transforms neighborhoods through collaborative initiatives that drive diverse, equitable, and inclusive growth. As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), TEDC harnesses the power of small businesses as agents of community economic transformation. Project Oasis is an Oklahoma-based public-private collaboration designed to end food deserts in distressed communities through an enterprising solution that delivers fresh, affordable groceries close to home. Current partners include TEDC, local government, philanthropic organizations, and Oasis Fresh Market, a successful start-up grocer with a powerhouse team of industry leaders who have made a commitment to and an investment in building a grocery store franchise model that will help eliminate food deserts across Oklahoma. Target areas are deemed low income and low access by the USDA. The Regional Food Bank reports that one in 10 Oklahoma senior citizens and one in six Oklahomans struggle with hunger. Our most vulnerable populations, exacerbated by the pandemic, suffer from food insecurity the most. TEDC is leveraging public and private sector resources to address the most basic human need of all ? food.

EVIDENCE

A study released by Pennsylvania State University indicates that improved food access helps mitigate the likelihood of adult food insecurity, especially among low-income households and those with children. Improved food access reduces the cost of obtaining food, both directly through lower prices, and indirectly, through lower transportation costs. The types of food stores that appear to have the greatest effect on mitigating adult food insecurity are small and medium-sized food stores. Plans aimed at increasing access to grocery stores, including improvements in public transportation systems or less stringent zoning laws, are an effective way to stimulate food security.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The most basic necessity of life is food and water. Drinking water is plentiful, but vulnerable Tulsans go hungry each day because of limited access to food. The Regional Food Bank reports that one in 10 Oklahoma senior citizens and one in six Oklahomans struggle with hunger. Hence, our most vulnerable populations suffer from food insecurity the most. Research suggests these statistics maybe double in Tulsa?s poorest neighborhoods due to the interrelated issues of food access, lack of transportation, and economic instability that were exacerbated by the pandemic. One-third of Americans say the pandemic has affected their household?s access to food, according to a new poll. Over half of the 31% affected by the pandemic reported fewer financial resources. Those experiencing financial strain reported eating less, buying different brands of foods, and using government programs such as SNAP. Nearly one-fifth of respondents visited food banks more often than usual. These numbers apply disproportionately in concentrated areas of poverty.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The Regional Food Bank reports that 1 in 10 Oklahoma senior citizens and 1 in 6 Oklahomans struggle with hunger. Our most vulnerable populations suffer from food insecurity. Research suggests these statistics maybe double in poorer communities due to the interrelated issues of food access, lack of transportation, and economic instability exacerbated by the pandemic. TEDC will measure this enterprising solution to food insecurity by analyzing food bank usage, hunger reduction, growth in grocery jobs, and the collection taxes paid by for-profit businesses. Data will be collected via multiple surveys and analyzed by Ph.D. researchers in health, agriculture, and regional economics.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding