| February 23rd, 2018

Food desert on the South Side of Tallahassee

By: journeymagazine

By Nichelle Cobb

Winn Dixie, Publix, and Walmart are some of the traditional places that most individuals like to do their grocery shopping at. These stores are located nine minutes or more away from FAMU’S campus; FAMU is in the heart of the south side of Tallahassee. Most residents of the south side must travel across town to shop at these stores unlike those residents located on the north side of Tallahassee. On the south side, there are fewer grocery stores and fewer healthy food options.

  Piggly Wiggly, Save A Lot, and Family Dollar are the three main options south side residents must choose from when looking at close grocery stores in their neighborhood. Since the only Winn Dixie on this side of town closed this summer, more residents find themselves having to travel across town.

“Don’t get me wrong, the south side stores have cheaper prices, however they don’t have as much options as Walmart or Publix would have,” said 2nd year student Bobby Rondil.  Although cheaper food prices are nice, it’s unfair that south side residents are limited to stores that mostly sell generic or off brand items.

  Aside from not having access to a variety of grocery stores, the south side also suffers from fewer healthy places to eat. The places centered around FAMU’S campus are fast food restaurants that may offer a side salad, but their main specialties are burgers, fries, and fried chicken. However, 12 minutes away on west Tennessee street there is an entire street filled with healthier options and more variety for individuals to choose from. Donterrius Johnson, who was born and raised on the south side of Tallahassee said, “Although there are mostly fast food restaurants, people just have to choose the healthier option, instead of ordering fries you can get salad or fruit.”

  In 2015, the City of Tallahassee held a Technical Assistance Panel to organize and recommend development plans for the south side of the city. The TAP recommended, “A farmer’s market within South City, not only to provide an option for fresh produce, but to support local growers in and around the region.”  City officials are aware of the few healthy options, however three years later and there hasn’t been much progress made on the TAP’s recommendations.

The TAP also encouraged the City’s Economic and Community Development Department to assist in bringing a full-service supermarket to the area, and to seek the establishment of new restaurants offering healthy fare. Unfortunately, the only major change that residents have seen in establishments is the Winn Dixie being shut down and not another grocery store put up to replace it.

   In Retrospect, some individuals may argue that the south side is a food desert regarding healthier food options. Rondil said, “A healthier food supply would make the south side better in general, since everyone would have the option to eat better.” Therefore, healthier food options lead to residents living healthier lifestyles, and a healthier lifestyle can result to living a long and happy life in a healthy community.