Jesse Maronto heard about it and thought there had to be a way for the city to respond to problems that food deserts created. From that day forward, she thought about what would help neighborhoods and how she could execute an impact program.
She is excited to finally be working on bringing this program to Chicagoans. This is no mirage, and Maronto is actively recruiting Chicagoans to join the Oasis Program for a January 2027 roll-out in two neighborhoods.
What is the Oasis Program?
A quick implementing, response based, solution for Chicago’s ever changing food desert landscape. Maronto says, “We need many solutions for our very unique neighborhoods. One is never enough, and we often need fast adaptability, which can be costly.”
When a local area becomes a food desert, an Oasis can pop-up to help prevent food insecurity and loss of access to walkable grocery option.
An Ordering Oasis creates a bridge between brick and mortar grocery stores’ online ordering systems and neighborhood third space store fronts. Not everyone is comfortable ordering online, paying extra for delivery or navigating technology.
With a focus on Service to Chicagoans, neighbors can come in and order groceries in person, ask questions, pay with cash, cards or Link card and then receive those groceries at the same location within 24 hours.
The Oasis also acts as a third space, providing a location for cooling and warming, small business access, education outreach, socialization and whatever the neighborhood might need.
Key Components.
- Partnerships with brick and mortar retailers located in Chicago
- Sponsorships from neighborhood landlords, building owners and brick and mortar resources.
- City investment in expediting inspections, approvals and business hurdles (a city runway program) that prevent rapid implementation of solutions.
How It Works
- A location to host a pop-up style grocery connector would be secured.
- Established connections with local grocery chains would be activated.
- An Ordering Oasis would appear in the neighborhood.
- Zone stewards would ensure success and relocate the Oasis if needed.
Benefits To Participants
- Grocery chains would forego the expense and obligation of a brick and mortar while gaining access to new customers.
- Micro-solutions in neighborhoods leads to positive public relations, small business partnership, and undiscovered possibilities.
- An occupied storefront, donated or sponsored by a landlord or business, helps invest in Neighborhood Networks.
- A rotating weekly partnership with grocery stores provides neighborhoods with shopping options they would not normally have.
- Best of all, with low overhead, flexible partnerships, and a city runway program to reduce bureaucracy, these pop-ups can truly respond as active relief in Oasis food zones.
For more information, or to sign up to participate, please contact Jesse Maronto via the Oasis Volunteer opportunity page.