New grocery store to address South End's "food desert"

ALBANY, NY (WRGB) — Officials and supporters say there is relief on the way for an area of Albany that's known as a "food desert,” where access to fresh produce and healthy options is hard to come by.

Ironically, 106 South Pearl Street is where a McDonald's once stood. but thanks to a group effort, there will soon be access to a very different kind of nutrition.

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Albany County Executive Dan McCoy (D) says the site of the old McDonald's was snatched up for $850,000. The county, the African American Cultural Center and local private investors including BlueLight Development Group, CAP COM, Key Bank and MVP Health Care covered the closing costs.

Supporters say this will fight food insecurity for residents of the South End, especially those with transportation challenges.

"Some people don't live on a bus line. Some people don't have transportation, and they have to walk to get their groceries and carry all that home,” said County Executive McCoy.

Travon Jackson has been instrumental to making this happen. He's the president of BlueLight Development Group, and also the African American Cultural Center's executive director.

Jackson is adamant that this is just one piece in making sure residents of the South End. He says they are struggling to get access to what they deserve.

"If you can respect me for my work, you can respect these people on this street who work just as hard every day, doing something way less sexy, and that's surviving. Survival has to mean as much as press conferences,” said Jackson.

MVP Health Care, CAP COM, Key Bank and undisclosed philanthropists have committed a combined $150,000 to support the first year of the grocery store’s operation.

Jackson says the grocery store is set to open next April.