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Jackson hearing spotlights store closures and local plans to restore neighborhood grocery access
Summary
Residents, store managers and city officials told the Jackson City Council on Jan. 22 that neighborhood grocery and pharmacy closures are creating food-access and health-equity problems; panelists recommended site-ready properties, targeted incentives and smaller-format or cooperative models to attract and sustain grocers.
Jackson — Residents, grocery managers and economic-development officials told the Jackson City Council on Jan. 22 that the loss of neighborhood grocery stores and nearby pharmacies has left many Jackson neighborhoods without ready access to fresh food and essential services, and they urged city action to recruit and sustain new operations. Councilman Kevin Parkinson convened the special hearing, which combined personal testimony, an owners’ panel and presentations by city planning and redevelopment leaders.
Dr. Scott Crawford, a Fondren resident and disability-rights advocate, described how transportation barriers make nearby stores a necessity for people who cannot drive. "Without those, I would be unable to live independently," he told the council, saying he relies on J Tran and neighborhood grocery access to buy fresh produce that will last. Monica Candler Butler, director of community outreach for Midtown Partners, said the recent closure of Grocery Depot and…
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