CareSource awards co-op grocery $220K to expand access to healthy food

CareSource awards co-op grocery $220K to expand access to healthy food (WKEF/WRGT)

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF/WRGT) - Caresource is helping Dayton residents gain access to healthy food for their families.

The organization is helping Gem City Market meet its fundraising goal by donating $220,000 to the co-op grocery store to help give people more access to fresh, nutritious produce.

“For CareSource to look to us as a partner is really quite an honor and also a vote of confidence that we think really speaks to the power of our mission,” says Lela Klein, Executive Director of Greater Dayton Union Co-op Initiative.

Once completed, Gem city market will be a 15,000 square foot grocery store that will provide access to affordable nutritious food in an area.

The Greater Dayton Union Co-op initiative says much of Dayton's west side is considered a food desert where some folks make well below the poverty level and live more than a mile from the nearest market.

The market will be a game changer for residents in the northwest side of town, especially for those who do not have immediate access to transportation.

“For me health is number one, this is a disaster and I am so happy that this will solve a lot of those health problem for my community,” says Dayton resident, Mama Nozipo.

Gem City Market will be a cooperative community and worker owned grocery store.

Organizers need $3.9 million to open their doors. Gem City Market will continue to raise money through donations, grants and loans. The goal is to open the market near Salem Ave by 2019.

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