Food Deserts: What are they and Statesville residents speak up.
On Monday at the City of Statesville Council meeting, residents of Statesville spoke about the impacts of a Dollar General closing in south Statesville in September. The closing of this establishment creates a food desert for the southern part of Statesville.
What is a food desert?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a food desert refers to neighborhoods or communities that have limited access to affordable and nutritious foods. In the United States, food deserts “tend to be located in urban and rural low-income neighborhoods, where residents are less likely to have access to supermarkets or grocery stores that provide healthy food choices.” In populations where there is limited or low access to few food retailers or supermarkets, individuals are more likely to have severe health impacts—such as higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Statesville Resident Voices
Frederick Foster, citizen of Statesville and former city council member, shares his concerns about the needs of south Statesville. “For a long time, our community has lived without a convenient access or full access to a grocery store. This is about more than groceries. It’s about access to fresh food, healthier choices, jobs, economic development, and the quality of life every neighborhood that Statesville deserves.”
Foster shares how during his time as ward six city council representative, the city tried to bring grocery stores to ward six locations of Statesville. With meetings of project planners and working with members of the council, the plans did not succeed with a homicide happening near the area during the process.
“I respectfully ask the mayor, every council members, and the city manager to work together, aggressively, to pursue grocery companies, developers, property owners, nonprofits and other partners who can bring a full grocery store option to our community,” said Foster. “South Statesville is not asking for State special treatment but, for equal attention, equal opportunity and a fair share of our investment of our tax dollars to help support.”
Lena Grady shares her concerns about the closure of Dollar General, leaving residents having access to a convenience store and concerns about transportation to other grocers in Statesville. “I hope y’all have something planned for them in the future, quickly,” said Grady,
Miranda Bell shares her concerns about the impact of the closure of Dollar General, transportation and impacts of residents who are already experiencing hardships. “This issue highlights a larger problem that residents have been discussing for years, the existence of a food desert in our local community,” said Bell. “Local officials and community organizations have reported that nearly 20,000 residents in Iredell County experience food insecurity and demonstrating that access to food remains a serious challenge.
To find the full City Council meeting, visit this link here.
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