FactBriefs
Spaceship Media’s brief reports.
Where to find Healthy Foods in Douglas?
Access to healthy and affordable food can be a challenge for rural residents, Douglas residents in particular. Many communities like ours are considered food deserts, places where there are mostly gas stations and convenience stores rather than fresh produce markets. While you can buy fruits and vegetables at Walmart and Food City, the prices are often higher in rural areas that they are in big cities. Transportation can also limit access to healthy and affordable food.
Farmer’s Markets
- Cochise County is filled with ranchers and farmers! You can find farmers’ markets in nearly every community. Douglas has had trouble in the past with keeping an ongoing farmers’ market.
- In 2015-16 a farmers’ market was held at the 10th Street Park every Sunday. On a typical day there would be craft vendors, bee keepers, vegetable, fruit and nut farmers selling their home grown merchandise and produce. The weekly market eventually discontinued for lack of participation and customers.
- In 2019 a group of local residents started the Saturday Swap-Meet which is held from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday on 7th Street and G Avenue. You’ll find different vendors there every week, some who sell fresh produce.
Free food!
- Every third Saturday of the month Copper Queen Community Hospital in Douglas hosts Produce on Wheels Without Waste. Arrive between 8 and 11 a.m. with a car and receive up to 70 lbs of fresh produce, bread, and sometimes household items like paper towels and toilet tissue. Typically the hospital pays a $12 fee for each recipient, which makes it free for anyone who shows up. However, the hospital isn’t obligated to cover the fee and if they choose not too in the future, you will have to pay the $12. You can always receive a free box of food if you show up early and help the organizers distribute food.
- Douglas Area Food Bank, located at 660 G Avenue distributes free baskets of food every Thursday. To be a recipient, you must sign up with the Food Bank by providing a valid I.D. You will be assigned one day out of the month to receive food, which you can use or pass on.
Transportation
- The City of Douglas Transit Program travels to main shopping districts in Douglas, that include the Walmart area, Food City Plaza, Cochise College, and even Bay Acres where there is Palo Verde Stop n’ Go (A convenience store that is also stocked with fresh produce, meat and dairy products.) You can find the bus schedule on the City’s website.