New FreshCo will increase shopping options

Burrows-Keewatin

Tyndall Park

Two local stakeholders are hoping a new grocery store in northwest Winnipeg will help improve food security in the community.

Shindico Realty,which brokered the transaction and manages the property, announced last month that FreshCo, the national grocery store chain, will open a new store this fall at 1870 Burrows Ave., at Burrows Crossing.

Construction is now underway in the building, which has been vacant since Sobeys left the premises in 2016. An IGA had also been located in the space.

“My impression is there that there is great deal of excitement about this,” said Harvey Sumka, senior resource co-ordinator at Keewatin/Inkster Neighbourhood Resource Council.

Sumka said the new store should provide multiple benefits, including strengthening the community, and increasing activity in the neighbourhood, as well as potentially creating jobs for older adults in the area.

He described FreshCo as an affordable brand, and explained how seniors in the area, notably, should “sincerely appreciate” the price-matching policy FreshCo offers, not least because they might have limited transport options or health or mobility issues.

In short, this means people will be able to scan their weekly grocery store flyers and if they find an item at another store that’s sold cheaper than at FreshCo, the latter will match the price.

“Older adults are known for looking at their flyers… and the advantage of obtaining a price match in their neighbourhood could mean not having to take a bus and lug their groceries back home, or the difference between a $7 cab ride and a $20 one,” Sumka said.

He said the economic benefits of having FreshCo in the neighbourhood means it should help people in the lower socio-economic brackets stretch their dollars further, including those living in 55-plus housing and Manitoba Housing buildings.

“I think the community will be celebrating in a big way. We have Safeway and Cantor’s Meats in the catchment area, but we’ve had some businesses up and leave, which doesn’t strengthen the area,” Sumka said.

Sumka added FreshCo has “very thoughtful product line that caters to a multicultural community, including a great international section with products that meet the community’s needs.”

Tyler Engel, director of the Community Food Centre at NorWest Co-op Community Health, said the new grocery addition will help keep the landscape competitive.

“Any new grocery store in the area is welcome, especially if it’s a little bit cheaper,” Engel said, adding a new store in the space “is better than it staying empty.”

“It’s going to help the community, as many people are on a low income.”

The community food centre is described as a welcoming space where people come together to share a good meal, join a cooking group, grow a garden, learn about healthy eating and become active about issues in the community.

It’s partnered with Right to Food, a national organization transforming the way food insecurity is addressed through an innovative, dignity-first model.

Once the store is up and running later this year, Engel is extending an invitation to its management and staff to visit the nearby centre, as he believes building local relationships are important.

“I’m hoping to forge a connection and building a good relationship with them,” Engel said. “We had a pretty good relationship with Sobeys in the past … and we hope the new manager and employees (at FreshCo) will come down to the food centre and find out what we’re all about.”