PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — People in South St. Pete are asking for more access to food. The area is considered a food desert, as grocery stores are few and far between.
But one organization is working to change that.
"Depressing. I feel sorry for a lot of them that can't drive," said Vergie Reynolds who lives in St. Pete.
Reynolds used to shop at this Save-A-Lot in Gulfport. It was the closest grocery store to her, until it closed back in September.
"It's not surprising that the stores are coming in the area…we expect it to be hard times," said Reynolds.
She lives in St. Pete and said she now has to travel farther to access food. She said other people also struggle.
"I have seen quite a few mature order people like me saying 'what are we going to do? What are we going to do? We don't have a car, we can't drive,' you know," said Reynolds.
J. King said he knows many people who don't have cars and have to take the bus to get to the nearest grocery store.
"In spite of the fact that everything is getting expensive, it's compounded because you also have travel expenses that are going to be incorporated into every venture," said King.
The One Community Grocery Co-Op has been working to provide local grocery store options to residents in South St. Pete for years. Last Thursday, a city council committee voted against giving the co-op a $50,000 capacity-building grant.
Committee members state there currently isn't enough funding for the project.
"It hurts, but we are still moving forward, we are still making it happen," said Erica Hardison.
Erica Hardison with the One Community Grocery Co-Op said, despite the lack of funding, the organization is still trying to help residents.
"We are going and doing the produce pop-ups, doing our events, building awareness," said Hardison.
City committee members said they will discuss funding options for the project sometime in January.
"Maybe somebody else will open up…I hope so…especially talking to a lot of them who can't drive," said Reynolds.
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