Short-term solution announced to New Kensington's downtown 'food desert'

A short-term solution to the food desert in downtown New Kensington is on the way, Mayor Tom Guzzo said.

The city is partnering with Oasis Grocery Direct to launch a system in which residents can order groceries online and get them two days later at a pickup point.

Volunteers would help those without online access to place orders, which can be paid for with credit, debit and SNAP EBT cards.

The program is expected to start in April.

“We’re excited to be able to partner with Oasis and provide access to groceries for those who don’t have access to our other grocery stores,” Guzzo said. “This program is available to everyone and addresses our needs on a short-term basis as we continue to work on solutions for the long term.”

Guzzo announced the partnership during a community gathering at Voodoo Brewery on Wednesday night, at which Jamie Smittle debuted her documentary “Food Desert.”

The documentary highlights the struggles and challenges residents face without access to a grocery store in downtown New Kensington. She hopes it will spark ideas and help find solutions to the problem to create a stronger community.

“We need accessible food for everyone,” said Smittle, who is vice president of the board of the New Kensington Arts Center. “We’ll see what we can achieve together.”

The only grocery store in downtown New Kensington, Shop ‘n Save in Central City Plaza, closed in 2020.

Guzzo said a grocer has expressed interest in moving into that location. The city has applied for a state grant to rehabilitate the building and make opening a new grocery store there feasible.

Founder David Ranallo said Oasis Grocery Direct was spun off from another company, Azoti, whose mission has been to help local farmers get into the commercial food supply chain at restaurants. The impact of the covid pandemic led to the creation of Oasis and a direct-to-consumer service.

Ranallo said Oasis, based in Columbus, Ohio, has access to 10,000 groceries priced lower than grocery stores. Pilots have been run in the Cleveland and Columbus areas.

In addition to New Kensington, Ranallo said they plan to launch the program at the same time in Tarentum and Hazelwood.

In the Tarentum area, the Salvation Army in Brackenridge has been identified as a pickup point, said David Rankin, executive director of Faith Community Partners. In New Kensington, Guzzo said they are working with a nonprofit for a pickup spot and hope to have more.

Once running, Ranallo said, ordering would be done weekly, over a window of two to three days. A limited number of orders will be accepted during the first month as it gets off the ground.

“We have to make sure that it works,” he said.

If there is shown to be enough demand after a couple of months, Ranallo said a portable micro-grocery could be implemented, using a refurbished cargo container.

“The need is extreme,” Ranallo said. “We want to solve this problem.”

During the discussion that followed the showing of Smittle’s documentary, leaders with the Salvation Army in New Kensington highlighted their pantry, Sally’s Market, which is set up like a small supermarket. Its free offerings include fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, Maj. Scott Flanders said.

The pantry is open to anyone in need.

The market operates from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Those planning to come are asked to call ahead to schedule their visit at 724-335-7221.

New Kensington’s community garden is expected to return this year on the Salvation Army’s grounds at the former Fort Crawford Elementary School on Third Street. It will be another source of fresh fruits and vegetables, Flanders said.

The garden was established along Fifth Avenue in 2012. It was lost to make way for the Digital Foundry, now under construction and scheduled to open this year.