Childs and Canal Roadway Construction Project in South Merced, California

The Childs and Canal Roadway Construction Project is a transformative effort aimed at boosting transportation infrastructure and combating the prevalent issue of food insecurity within South Merced, a community burdened by its designation as a food desert. Residents in this area face significant challenges in accessing fresh produce, often needing to travel considerable distances—exceeding a mile—to reach a grocery store outside their low-income census tract. This limited access to essential dietary staples exacerbates existing socio-economic inequalities, rendering South Merced more disadvantaged than other parts of Merced.