Nashville, TN

Transportation, Healthy food access | 2025

Mapping transit infrastructure accessibility to improve access to healthy food.

Access to healthy food is critical for overall well-being and good health. Research has shown that increased rates of chronic diet-related health conditions are correlated with a lack of access to full-service grocery stores and personal vehicles. Many residents in North Nashville rely on public transportation to access food, but transit stops are limited, and bus stops have poor accessibility. The Nashville Food Project (TNFP) will lead an effort to determine the extent to which inaccessible transit infrastructure limits food access for transit-dependent residents in North Nashville.

TNFP will collaborate with the Center for Community Mapping to conduct participatory mapping workshops in which residents document their food access challenges and bus stop conditions. TNFP will also train local youth and volunteers to audit bus stops for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, pedestrian accessibility, shelter availability, lighting, and safety. After findings are refined through residents’ feedback at community sessions, TNFP will produce updated food and transit maps for the community and policymakers.

TNFP expects that data collected in this project will be used by residents, community organizations, policymakers, and the local transit agency to advocate for improvements in transit accessibility and food access in North Nashville. TNFP, along with other nonprofits and advocacy groups in the region, will use project findings to push for improved transit options, enhanced bus stop infrastructure, expanded grocery access, and walkable neighborhoods. Such improvements will increase equitable access to healthy food and public transit in one of Nashville’s historically underserved neighborhoods.