Efforts continuing to bring grocery store to Downtown ‘food desert’

Members of Restoration Church are moving closer to making the dream of a nonprofit grocery store for Downtown St. Joseph a reality.

The church recently hosted an informational gathering with guest speaker James Harris, CEO of Harvest Community Charities, an organization that helps supply fresh products to nonprofit grocery stores. Church members have been trying to establish a grocery store at 101 Francis St.

Harris, an ordained minister originally from Kansas City, said his interest in assisting food deserts comes from his background.

"I grew up in a place where we had little food," Harris said. "We had five kids in the household and knew hunger often."

Tim Doyle, the pastor of Restoration Church in St. Joseph, said Harris's story mirrors his own growing up in what is called a food desert, defined as an urban area without a grocery store within reasonable walking distance. Doyle said surveys in Downtown St. Joseph consistently demonstrate the need for an accessible grocery store.

"A grocery store is the number one perceived need of amenities here in Downtown, according to surveys," Doyle said. "So, we are continuing to get the architectural plans in place, and we're trying to find construction partners who could help us make the building fit the model we envision."

The grocery store has been a vision for Restoration Church for nearly a decade. Doyle said there have been times when it has been challenging to keep the momentum going. He believes the addition of Harris' experience and connections will be part of renewing interest in the grocery store. Harris was featured in an award-winning documentary about his work in assisting food deserts in rural areas.

Harris said the system he is part of "goes to the heart of the problem, while also addressing the need of the individual."

For Doyle and Harris, this means the grocery store will be more than a food distribution center. Although it will be a nonprofit store, it will provide fresh produce and other items, just like any other grocery store.

"The difference is, we will be able to easily put any profits back into the ongoing development of the store to help meet the needs of the people in Downtown St. Joseph," Doyle said.

With the potential of a consistent supplier now in place through Harvest Community Charities, Doyle said he hopes partnerships develop between the church and the city, businesses and construction professionals.

"We're excited about the partnerships already in place," Doyle said, "and we are continuing to look for more so that we can get this thing on the fast track."

For more information, visit the church's website at restorationstj.com.