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'We want this to feel different': Peninsula's first free grocery store to open in November

The store, called "The Market at THRIVE," plans to expand access to more nutritious food and help address food insecurity in the community.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Shoppers struggling with food insecurity in Newport News are about to have a new grocery option.

Local nonprofit THRIVE Peninsula is working to open up the Virginia Peninsula's first free grocery store.

The store, called "The Market at THRIVE," is scheduled to open in November. Located on Nettles Drive in Newport News, it plans to expand access to more nutritious food and help address food insecurity in the surrounding communities.

"We know that roughly 60% of families who struggle with food insecurity won't visit a food pantry because of the stigma. That stigma keeps hungry families at home, skipping meals or eating smaller meals and buying chips instead of fruit," said Angela York, THRIVE Peninsula's Executive Director. 

York said over the last three years, more newcomers to the area are looking for help.

“And they’re very embarrassed," York said. "Some people are crying on the phone. They don’t even want to have to come because they’ve never been in this situation before.”

That’s how ‘The Market at THRIVE’ came to be. It’s currently a room full of parts and supplies but it will soon transform into a client-choice food pantry in a grocery store setting, a place where people in Hampton, Newport News and York County can access healthier foods in a more natural setting.

With grocery store equipment and shelving donated by Food Lion, the nonprofit's space will feel a bit more like a supermarket. 

“They’ll shop for their own food and they’ll be limits based on the household size,” York said.

Last year, THRIVE Peninsula received an average of 107 calls per day from Peninsula residents and served more than 18,000 people. The organization believes that The Market can serve up to 30,000 people annually within two years of opening. 

York hopes this project will meet the growing need and that this space will welcome everyone.

“They’ll feel good about just getting help for their family as opposed to feeling not great about needing some kind of handout service," York said. "We want this to feel different.”

The new facility will also feature a raised bed garden which will allow volunteers to grow food. They’ll use that food to help stock the shelves.

THRIVE Peninsula recently received $225,000 from Food Lion Feeds to support the grocery store. They hope to open the market by Thanksgiving.

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