Organizers and supporters of the North Flint Food Market pose for a photo at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Aug. 30, in Flint, Michigan. (Dylan Goetz | dgoetz@mlive.com)
FLINT, MI — A food desert no more.
The soon-to-be newest grocery store in Flint, called the North Flint Food Market, held a groundbreaking ceremony on location Monday, Aug. 30.
The food market, which will be operated as a co-op using support from community contributors, will bring a new grocery option to an area that has lacked grocery options since Kroger’s location shut down in July 2014.
Multiple speakers at the groundbreaking spoke about Peathon Massey, a 70-year Flint resident who wanted to see the opening of the city’s first co-op grocery store but died shortly before its opening at age 93.
Before his passing, Massey wrote a letter with his final prayer: “Please find enclosed a check of $250 toward the NFR (North Flint Reinvestment) group. I have been a resident of Flint and have resided on the north side since arriving from Arkansas. … Please note, I am 93 years old. My prayer is that I am able to walk down the isles pushing a grocery cart upon completion. If not me, then my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren shall be afforded the opportunity. Keep up the positive work.”
Reginald Flynn, CEO of the North Flint Reinvestment Corporation, speaks before a crowd during the groundbreaking of the North Flint Food Market on Monday, Aug. 30, in Flint, Michigan. (Dylan Goetz | dgoetz@mlive.com)
Flynn spearheaded the effort since its inception seven years ago.