Delray Beach neighbors concerned about ‘food desert’
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – C.J. Thomas of Delray Beach is raising his 7-month-old in the W. Atlantic Ave. neighborhood without easy access to fresh food. “There’s no store here, I always hated that,” said Thomas.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the area’s many convenience stores don’t cut it for the 1,500 households in the W. Atlantic census tract.
One-fifth are below the poverty line. Twelve percent have no car.
Thomas is a “lucky one” in this “food desert.”
“I borrow my grandfather’s truck and we drive to the store,” said Thomas.
But now, neighborhood organizer Joycelyn Patrick dreams of a desert oasis.
On Thursday night, the Community Redevelopment Agency voted on three projects that have offices, stores, restaurants, and space for a grocery store.