City Considers Grocery Co-op to Fill Vacant Lot in Food Desert

Share On Social!

A community in North Charleston has been without a near-by grocery store for years. City officials and residents have hoped a retailer would build in the USDA-designated food desert, but no luck yet.

Fortunately, the city is contemplating using a large city-owned vacant property to bring healthy, fresh foods back into this neighborhood.

According to an article in the Post and Courier, Mayor Keith Summey said that the city is exploring every available option to have a self-sustaining grocery option in the area, including the possibility of a community-owned, city-sponsored store.

How would this co-op function?

The city would act in unison with local non-profits and private donors to provide the resources to establish a grocery store, which would then be operated by its community owners.

Community members can make a donation of a set amount in exchange for the right to vote on major operational decisions and the chance to run for a seat on the co-op board. That money is invested in the co-op and member-owners also receive special discounts and access to exclusive events in exchange for their donations.

According to the article, the co-op would seek locally grown products to sell at the grocery store, which would support the local economy.

Most co-ops offer payment plans and reduced donation requirements for low-income community members who still want to be involved in decision-making.

Read more about the potential co-op here.