Philabundance Close To Opening Supermarket In Chester 'Food Desert'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philabundance is getting closer to its goal of opening a full-service supermarket in the city of Chester.
Speaking during a hunger symposium inside the Cira Center on Thursday, Philabundance executive director Bill Clark revealed the organization has raised $2-million of the $4-million it needs to renovate and outfit a former supermarket at Ninth and Trainer Streets in Chester.
He says the organization is pressing for donations from a variety of sources and is hopeful of opening the doors within nine months to a year.
Clark says Chester residents have been in a food desert for some 10 years -- that is, without a supermarket where they can buy food.
"They have to put the food on their table by buying it through little corner convenience stores and they end up paying a lot more for it."
Clark says in most cases it's 10-15% more than one would pay at a supermarket.
He says the Philabundance market would have most everything a regular supermarket has. And, prices for many items would be lower and some available for no cost, depending on a shopper's income.
Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio 1060