PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) A grocery chain closing stores across central Virginia could make it harder for some families to find fresh foods and produce. A 2014 study “Food Deserts in Virginia,” shows Petersburg is one of Virginia’s cities most in need of improved access to healthy food.
Martin’s Food Markets announced on December 12 that it will close three Richmond-area stores in mid-2016.
Shoppers at the Crater Road location in Petersburg told 8News they will leave town to go grocery shopping when the store closes. Petersburg is on the USDA’s list of food deserts, meaning residents have limited access affordable, local, fresh food.
Martin’s is the only place in town where Monica Strang shops for her family.
“Martins thrives on especially organic produce where typically Food Lion has less selection,” said Strang. “We like fresh, organic- especially meats and produce.”
Strang said she was shocked and disappointed to learn the store will be shutting its doors. “I guess I’m going to have to go back to Colonial Heights,” she said.
The city of Petersburg is considered a food desert by the USDA. VSU student Duron Chavis has worked tirelessly to increase the city’s access to fresh food.
“One of the things that is problematic with this community,” he told 8News, “is there are literally no grocery stores within a mile or more of the Harding Street Community Center.”
Out of eight Virginia locations studied last year, Petersburg ranked sixth based on the study’s low-access and low-income rates. Low-access areas are those that lack grocery stores, farmers markets and healthy food providers.
“You are at a higher prevalence for diabetes, obesity, hypertension, congestive heart failure,” said Chavis.
8News reached out to the mayor’s office and chamber of commerce to learn what lies in store once Martin’s closes, but did not receive a response.
