Residents and store owners come together to tackle food deserts
Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative kicked off its Healthy Neighborhood Store Initiative on June 24 to a packed room of residents and store owners looking to make healthy foods more accessible to Youngstown residents.
Approximately 70 people, including four store owners, gathered at Rhodef Sholom Temple to hear testimony by local residents and the results of surveys completed by MVOC and volunteers on the conditions of and products sold in 46 stores in the city of Youngstown. Of the stores surveyed, most were neighborhood stores while gas stations and national chain drugstores were also included. The results of the surveys were sobering to those in attendance, and gave cause to residents, store owners and members of Youngstown City Council to pledge support to the initiative.
According to the results released, of the 46 stores reviewed, only 11 sold fruit while all except three sold alcohol. Stores were also rated on a scale of one to five for cleanliness with only national chain stores rating the top score of five. Over half of the stores surveyed scored a two or less. Several were unkempt, sold outdated products and plastered with negative marketing materials. These stores, said some residents, provide little access to healthy foods and often serve as a haven for crime. Jan Pentz of Wick Park Neighborhood Association spoke about a store near her North Side home.
“It’s the wildest party place on Wick Avenue…everything is outdated but it’s got all the wine, beer and cigarettes you need,” said Pentz. “I feel it’s a nuisance.”
There were also a few positive stories shared on the state of stores through Youngstown. Elliot Legow, another resident involved in the surveying, said he and his wife found a Red and White Market on the corner of Elm Street and Thornton that offered some healthy choices. Legow said he was surprised by what the store had to offer, noting he sampled some of their chicken for dinner.
The Healthy Neighborhood Store Initiative has been developed in response to the growing issue of food deserts throughout Youngstown and Warren as a result of consistent population decline and loss of grocers within the city limits. According to a 2009 analysis by Stephen Flannery, there are 57,792 Youngstown residents living more than one mile away from a grocery store, leaving many neighborhoods without access to healthy foods. With 20% of the residents not owning a car, this can make access to healthy foods even more difficult.
“This initiative is designed to fight the impacts of food deserts and social disparities within our community,” said committee member Jack Daughtery.
The campaign goal is to increase access to healthy foods while building stronger relationships with those involved in the local food system. Those involved will work side by side with local residents, store owners and others to help eliminate the impact that food deserts have had on our community and to support those stores providing better access to healthy foods.
First Ward Council Woman Annie Gillam attended the Thursday evening meeting. Gillam spoke for a few minutes, pledging her support and the support of the Youngstown City Council adding that they are committed to the goals of the campaign.
“You cannot have wealth in your community if you’re not healthy,” said Gillam.
Also pledging their support to the initiative were four store owners.
Jabr Elwanni, president of the Mahoning Valley Grocer Association, said he believes it is the store owners’ responsibility to help in any way to make the community better.
“We also need to be able to succeed as a business,” Elwanni noted, adding he is happy to work with the community. “This is a win-win situation.”
Moussa Kassis, another grocer who attended the meeting said he thought it was a step in the right direction.
“It’s best to team up and work together to make our surroundings better for everybody,” Kassis said.
