Residents, advocates and grocery store owners voiced concerns Thursday night about shrinking access to food in Jackson, warning city leaders that ongoing store closures are deepening food deserts and contributing to poor health outcomes across the city.The discussion took place during a special meeting of the Jackson City Council, where speakers detailed the challenges many residents face in accessing affordable, healthy groceries.Fondren resident and disability rights activist Dr. Scott Crawford told council members Mississippi consistently ranks among the least healthy states in the nation, with diet playing a major factor. Crawford said he does not have access to a vehicle and relies on JTRAN to shop for groceries.While public transit makes grocery shopping possible, Crawford said it is not practical. He told council members he must carry groceries in his lap while riding the bus and said access to a grocery store within one or two miles is critical to maintaining a healthy quality of life.Community leaders also pointed to recent closures that have reduced food access across multiple neighborhoods.Monica Cannon-Butler, director of community outreach for Midtown Partners, referenced the closure of the Fortification Street Grocery Depot, along with nearby Walgreens and CVS locations. She said residents are now forced to travel farther for groceries, often navigating multiple bus routes, paying for rides or relying on others.“Limited food access contributes to poor health outcomes, increased stress on families, and fewer opportunities to maintain healthy lifestyles,” Cannon-Butler said. “These closures also put additional strain on caregivers and community organizations.”Cannon-Butler added the closures have also reduced employment opportunities in affected areas.Local grocery store owners said operational challenges make it difficult to expand or sustain stores in underserved neighborhoods.Victor Edwards, owner of a Sav-A-Lot on Bailey Avenue, told council members that low-volume grocery stores cannot stock the variety offered by larger chains. Edwards also cited staffing shortages, customer concerns about crime in the area, and poor road conditions as ongoing challenges.City leaders said the meeting focused on identifying barriers to grocery access and hearing directly from residents, advocates and business owners impacted by the issue.
Residents, advocates and grocery store owners voiced concerns Thursday night about shrinking access to food in Jackson, warning city leaders that ongoing store closures are deepening food deserts and contributing to poor health outcomes across the city.
The discussion took place during a special meeting of the Jackson City Council, where speakers detailed the challenges many residents face in accessing affordable, healthy groceries.
Fondren resident and disability rights activist Dr. Scott Crawford told council members Mississippi consistently ranks among the least healthy states in the nation, with diet playing a major factor. Crawford said he does not have access to a vehicle and relies on JTRAN to shop for groceries.
While public transit makes grocery shopping possible, Crawford said it is not practical. He told council members he must carry groceries in his lap while riding the bus and said access to a grocery store within one or two miles is critical to maintaining a healthy quality of life.
Community leaders also pointed to recent closures that have reduced food access across multiple neighborhoods.
Monica Cannon-Butler, director of community outreach for Midtown Partners, referenced the closure of the Fortification Street Grocery Depot, along with nearby Walgreens and CVS locations. She said residents are now forced to travel farther for groceries, often navigating multiple bus routes, paying for rides or relying on others.
“Limited food access contributes to poor health outcomes, increased stress on families, and fewer opportunities to maintain healthy lifestyles,” Cannon-Butler said. “These closures also put additional strain on caregivers and community organizations.”
Cannon-Butler added the closures have also reduced employment opportunities in affected areas.
Local grocery store owners said operational challenges make it difficult to expand or sustain stores in underserved neighborhoods.
Victor Edwards, owner of a Sav-A-Lot on Bailey Avenue, told council members that low-volume grocery stores cannot stock the variety offered by larger chains. Edwards also cited staffing shortages, customer concerns about crime in the area, and poor road conditions as ongoing challenges.
City leaders said the meeting focused on identifying barriers to grocery access and hearing directly from residents, advocates and business owners impacted by the issue.
