In September, the community in Pamplico, South Carolina lost their only local access to fresh food. Earlier that month, the local IGA, the only grocery store within a 15-20-mile radius, gave a month’s notice to the community that they would be closing their doors. This has essentially created a food desert for the community, leaving over 5,000 families without access to fresh or local produce or food supplies for nearly 6 months.
“There are dollar stores,” said Steven Myers, Chairman for the Pamplico Center for Community Development. “But those aren’t grocery stores. Everyone within a five-zipcode area has to drive 20 miles or more to get to a grocery store.”
A month later, a community member had thought of a temporary solution: partnering with GrowFood Carolina. Immediately, GrowFood began taking action, and in October, GrowFood officially started delivering to Pamplico.
Since October, GrowFood has been delivering local and fresh produce to the local senior center twice a month.