Council backs Food Action Plan and $50,000 seed support for community‑owned grocery in South St. Pete

Council considered a Food Action Plan and a companion resolution to provide up to $50,000 in seed support to 1 Community Grocery Co‑op, a resident‑led effort to establish a community‑owned grocery in a South St. Pete food‑access area. Dozens of residents and co‑op members told council that a co‑op could improve healthy food access, create local jobs and keep dollars circulating in the neighborhood.

Speakers from the co‑op described membership growth and partnerships with local farmers; they asked council to support capacity building and help bridge the gap from feasibility work to a brick‑and‑mortar store. Council members praised the local organizing but debated whether public funding is the best way to seed a grocery, and whether $50,000 is sufficient given typical startup costs that can reach into the millions. Administration said the money is intended for feasibility, technical assistance and capacity building and that staff will develop a scope of work with measurable deliverables; if the expense exceeds current budget authority, staff will address it at a budget cleanup.

Council passed the Food Action Plan resolution and the $50,000 support 6–1, with Council Member Harding voting no and Council Member Givens recusing himself because of an affiliation disclosure. Staff committed to embedding a Greenhouse staffer to support the co‑op’s capacity building, to returning to council with a defined scope, and to seeking supplemental grant or private funding where appropriate.