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West Louisville searches for solutions to ‘food desert'

Fresh produce within walking distance is exactly what one group of people are planning on creating for West Louisville neighborhoods that are often considered a food desert. 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Fresh produce within walking distance is exactly what one group of people are planning on creating for West Louisville neighborhoods that are often considered a food desert.

“I had to watch a family go grocery shopping at a Family Dollar because that was the nearest place that they could go get some food at. That’s ridiculous,” said Black Lives Matter Activist Chanelle Helm.

The Louisville Food Cooperative would be a ‘community owned grocery store' open to the public year round. A food coop is a grocery store supported by investments from members of the community that features mostly local foods. It's goal is to provide local organic produce to areas of town that don't have convenient access to it already, like Portland, Shawnee, Russel, and other neighborhoods in West Louisville.

“It's so hard to find fresh foods over fast food restaurants,” said neighbor David Snardon.

David Snardon said he has to cross the river and travel all the way to Southern Indiana to get his groceries, and it's something he would like to see changed, especially as bridge construction nears an end.

“Even with the tolls coming up now when they start talking about building on the bridge, that's going to be more of a hassle, so this conversation is really coming on time,” said Snardon.

But this food coop is not something we should expect to see anytime soon. The Louisville Food Cooperative is still in its early stages. The hope is to have it available to neighborhoods in three to five years, but they need to focus on recruiting people and raising money to jump start the project first.

“We have a goal to organize 1,000 members that would help us get to $100-200 thousand, and then to connect with local funders who would help match that money,” said Cooperative organizer Cassia Herron.

At this point they're asking for input, like where should this community grocery store be and should there be more than one.

Map of potential locations for West Louisville local food coop

People have been placing strawberries on a map where they think the coop would be most beneficial. Snardon chose 15th and Cedar in the Russel neighborhood.

“Russel is the gateway to the West End, and I know there's such a need for us to have more than fast food in our city,” said Snardon.

To find out how you can get involved, contact Amanda Fuller at abfuller@gmail.com.

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