Olszewski Announces Free Pilot Grocery Shuttle in Turner Station to Support Food Access

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced the creation of a free, pilot grocery shuttle service in the Turner Station community in Southeast Baltimore County.

The service, which will operate through Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation’s CountyRide, was developed in response to community feedback regarding lack of food access for residents without immediate access to transportation.   

“Every resident in every community deserves access to fresh, healthy foods,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “As our administration continues to explore every opportunity to expand healthy food access across Baltimore County, this pilot is a common-sense way to strengthen our communities for residents in need.”

“We believe this program is a great opportunity for our entire community and an important step in helping address a long-time food desert,” said Gloria Nelson, President of Turner Station Conservation Teams. “We appreciate County Executive Olszewski and his team for listening to us, recognizing our needs, and working with us to take action to support our historic community of color.”

According to the USDA’s Food Access Research Atlas, Turner Station is identified as a community with low food access.

Residents can catch the shuttle on Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. at the following locations:

• Baltimore County Fleming Senior Center, 641 Main Street, Dundalk, MD 21222
• The Greens at Logan Field, 3455 Dundalk Avenue, Dundalk, MD 21222

Participants will be delivered to a nearby grocery store and returned after their shopping is complete. Participants living within a 2-mile radius of the Fleming Center may be dropped off at their homes. Participants picked up at The Greens at Logan Field will be returned to that location.

On Mondays, the shuttle’s destination will be Giant Food at 1400 Merritt Blvd, Dundalk, MD 21222.

On Fridays, the shuttle’s destination will be Aldi on 1401, Merritt Blvd, Dundalk, MD 21222.

To ensure enough space for all participants, shoppers will be limited to two bags or parcels or one pull-along cart on the bus. Participants are responsible for handling their own bags or parcels.

Riders must register with CountyRide to participate. To learn more, residents may also call 410-887-8287.

Based on the success of the Turner Station grocery access pilot, Baltimore County may look to expand this model in Turner Station or other communities.

County Names First Food Security Coordinator

Additionally, County officials today announced that Ashley Wallington has been named Baltimore County’s first Food Security Coordinator.

In this role, Wallington will work across county departments and with community stakeholders to address food insecurity among County resident and focus on developing sustainable food security programs to help address food deserts, food pantry sustainability and the root causes of food insecurity.  

Wallington most recently served as a Legislative Aide and Director of Community Relations for Councilman Izzy Patoka. Previously, Wallington served as a Future Baltimore Program Lead at Bon Secours Health Systems where she worked with underserved populations addressing social determinants of health and connecting program participants to resources. Wallington holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.