How Easy is Walking to the Grocery Store in Your City?

Angie Schmitt shares news of an effort by WalkScore to rank cities based on the ability of residents to access grocery stores on foot. WalkScore invites planners all over country to use their data to improve walkable access to food in cities.

1 minute read

March 31, 2014, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Grocery Store Walk

ValeStock / Shutterstock

A new article on Streetsblog USA by Angie Schmitt details a new ranking and visualization by WalScore, which complied data on the best and worst cities for walking to the grocery store. No surprise at the top—in New York City, 72 percent of its residents can access grocery stores in five minutes or less by walking.

Here’s how Sshmitt explains the methodology of the rankings: “Walk Score used its algorithm to cross-reference millions of walking routes with its database of grocery store locations. Then it ranked cities with populations over 500,000 according to the share of residents who can walk to a grocery store in five minutes.” 

The visualization—and Schmitt’s coverage of the rankings—are meant in part to inspire cities to collaborate with WalkScore in working to improve pedestrian access to grocery stores. In fact, “[cities] including San Jose, California, are using tools from Walk Score to examine and address local food access issues."

Thursday, March 27, 2014 in Streetsblog USA

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.

The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

May 30, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View of New York City alleyway with outdoor restaurant seating and people walking between brick apartment buildings with fire escapes

As Business Districts Continue to Falter, Mixed-Use Neighborhoods Flourish

While office vacancies remain high and foot traffic sparse in many U.S. downtowns, areas with housing and businesses are more vibrant and desirable than ever.

4 hours ago - The Wall Street Journal

Beachside basketball couty with ocean view and blue painted court at Angel Gate Park in Los Angeles, California on a sunny day

Los Angeles County's 30x30 Strategy Earns National Recognition

L.A. County's Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) received a 2023 achievement award from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

5 hours ago - National Association of Counties

A spraling subdivision of single-family detached housing in a desert setting.

Albuquerque Poised to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units

Allowing ADU construction on parcels previously zoned exclusively for single-family detached housing is one component of the Housing Forward ABQ initiative, a larger effort to reform zoning practices in Albuquerque.

6 hours ago - Albuquerque Journal

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.