<p> Next week, Whole Foods is launching a new, exclusive monthly fresh food market on the St. Elizabeth’s campus in Washington D.C., which also happens to be one of the most impoverished areas in the state, according to Washington Post. With all the news surrounding food deserts, how will Whole Foods’ plans for a monthly market make an impact in this community?<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Earlier this week, Mayor Vince Gray announced that the city will be building two new projects at the St. Elizabeth’s campus, including a hospital and a monthly Whole Foods Market. The market is aimed at selling the retailer’s popular organic and natural foods to people in need within the community all at competitive prices on a once-a-month basis.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “I think people will be pleasantly surprised,” said Scott Allshouse, Mid-Atlantic Regional President for Whole Foods. “Because they’ve been hearing we’re expensive, we’re expensive, but they’re getting a can of beans for 89 cents, they’re going to get vegetable broth for $1.99… <B>they’re going to be able to feed their family for under 10 bucks.</b>”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Yet, when questioned about the value of only making fruits and vegetables available once a month, Washington Business Journal reports that Mayor Gray responded, “The current schedule is once-every-never.” True, while once a month is better than nothing, it will be interesting to see how community residents will respond to this format once it opens.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> All profits from the market will be donated to charitable organizations in the area, including Anacostia, Barry Farm, Congress Heights, and Douglass neighborhoods.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Beginning on April 5, the market will open from noon to 5 pm on the first Saturday of the month.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Another interesting thing to note is whether or not the site will bring further fresh food vendors to the area. The St. Elizabeth’s East Gateway Pavilion features a 16,300 square foot open air market with space for 40 vendors, 3,100 square feet of enclosed civic space, a 21,000 square foot vegetated green roof, and a raised park for concerts, festivals, and other large gatherings, Washington Business Journal reports.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> It’s a small, but unique step toward improving this neighborhood. Hopefully we'll see more retailers take a similar approach in tackling food deserts across the U.S.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com" target="_new"> Whole Foods </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
