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The last supermarket left Clairton ten years ago.  Clairton is one of the urban areas referred to as a ‘Food Desert.’  For families with automobiles that is not much of a problem.

Those families can drive to West Mifflin, Pleasant Hills or Elizabeth to buy groceries.  Families that do not have automobiles have a greater problem.  Those families need to hire a taxi or take the bus.

Taxies are expensive for families on a budget and are not affordable.  People that take the bus have additional problems.  There are no buses that travel directly to an area that has supermarkets.  Families must transfer a least once to get close to a supermarket.  When I say close, they need to walk over a quarter of a mile to get to the store and have to carry their groceries by hand.

Four years ago, Felix Fusco led a core group that had a vision.  Their vision was to provide a store that sold fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices.  They teamed up with what is now The Mon Valley Initiative to acquire a small store front on St. Clair Avenue in Clairton.  Named the ‘Produce Market Place’ the store provides dozens of different types of produce, some dry goods and meats such as ham hocks, chicken wings, and ox tails.  In addition, the Produce Market Place also carries 5 to 6 different deli meats and several types of cheese that are cut to order.  Parishioners from Triumph of the Holy Cross and Pine Run Churches donate canned goods, pasta and other products that are available free of charge for those that need the food.

This month the Produce Market Place begins their fifth year of operation.  Cash, EBT, Food Bucks, credit and debit cards are accepted.  Everyone is encouraged to shop at the Produce Market Place which is open between 11AM and 4PM Tuesday through Saturday.  Produce Market place is also on Facebook or you can call 412-945-3398 for more information.

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