The food desert stretches across Greenville County, from District 17 in the northern part of the county to District 25 in the Greenville area in the south.
South Carolina DHEC's definition states: “Access to healthy food options, particularly fruits and vegetables, is limited or non-existent due to the absence of healthy food retail outlets such as farmers markets or grocery stores.” Geographic region,” said Greenville County Councilman Ennis Fant, who represents the 25th District, introduced a resolution Tuesday night to try to alleviate the problem.
“Food deserts are not a racial issue; they are an economic issue that affects everyone in every part of the county,” Fant said.
Fant's resolution, sent to the Finance Committee by Chairman Dan Tripp, would allow Greenville County to provide food to underserved areas, defined as census tracts designated as low-income and low-access. The law allows incentives to be given to sponsors who wish to open a product store.
Just as Greenville County subsidizes fees in lieu of taxes (FILOT) to attract businesses, if this resolution passes, the county would subsidize land disturbance permit fees to attract grocery stores. Several measures could be taken, including reductions in the amount of tax, grant programs for financial support, and permits for businesses. Paying a certain fee in lieu of property tax.
Spartanburg's Piggly Wiggly closure also affected Greenville.
Fant also said efforts were underway to bring Piggly Wiggly to Greenville County, and those efforts were well underway until the Spartanburg location closed.
In Spartanburg, an aggressive effort was made to bring Piggly Wiggly into the city, alleviating the area's food desert. Many residents were devastated when the doors closed.
“I think all involved are disappointed in this news and its outcome. The city and other community partners have been proactive in putting together strategies to alleviate food deserts, which led to Piggly Wiggly “It's a strategic move,” said City Manager Chris Storey. . “I don’t know what the future holds in relation to that.”
Storey said the city was told the reason for the closure was due to a decline in sales and foot traffic, as previously reported by the Spartanburg Herald Journal.
“This is not just a Greenville problem,” Fant said, referring to the food desert issue. “This is a statewide and national issue as well.”
As a knock-on effect, South Carolina's 25th District Representative Wendell Jones said he would also introduce legislation to help food deserts across the state. The bill would give grocery stores tax incentives and sales tax breaks for the first two years, according to a Facebook post.
In discussing his decision, Fant said he has received good feedback from local nonprofits such as Loaves & Fishes and LiveWell Greenville.
Where are Greenville County's gourmet deserts?
Fant's resolution also provided a visual of where food deserts exist in Greenville County.
Food deserts occur in districts 17, 18, 19, and 25. According to the Department of Agriculture, food deserts typically occur in areas with small populations, high rates of abandoned or vacant housing, or areas with low incomes and high unemployment rates.
Savannah Moss covers politics and growth/development in Greenville County. Contact her at smoss@gannett.com or follow her at X @Savmoss.
