FLINT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In the northern section of Flint, the nearest full-service grocery is about 4 1/2 miles away.

Flint residents and local politicians complained when Meijer and Kroger closed the stories in that part of town in 2015. The chains stated in media reports they could not make money at the outlets in that area.

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City officials said the departure of the grocery chains created a “food desert” and it was so dire that the city’s transit agency created a “Ride to Groceries” program where residents could carry up to two bags of groceries on the bus.

Now the solution being pitched is a co-op owned by members that has been financially supported by the city and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

The city of Flint is going to give the North Flint Food Market Cooperative $300,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. That was reviewed at the Sept. 8 city council meeting. That federal money was supposed to be used to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The North Flint Food Market Cooperative is set to open later this year.

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has dedicated $3.6 million to the start up of the food co-op.