New Hanover County is collaborating with the Northside Food Cooperative to design and build a grocery store in the Northside, which has been designated as a food desert for over 35 years. In reviewing available land and potential locations for this store, New Hanover County and the Co-op have determined that a portion of city-owned land located on North 10^th Street in Wilmington meets the overall needs of the store in terms of location, size, and accessibility. So, the county has submitted a formal request to the City of Wilmington for the donation of the northern portion (approximately 2.35 acres) of the parcel located on 10th and Fanning Streets. 

According to the city, their staff is working to survey, subdivide, and rezone part of the property for use as a grocery store, at which time City Council can consider the donation.

In the meantime, the county will be sending out a request for qualifications to find a consultant who will assist the county and co-op in the overall business plan of the project. After a site is confirmed, the next steps will be design and construction documents. Once built, the Co-op will own and operate the store with support from the county if needed. We expect that our first full year of operation will be 2024. 

This grocery store, which will offer Northside residents a convenient and accessible place to access fresh, healthy food, is part of the community building and investment plan approved by the Board of Commissioners to help residents have the resources and supports they need for stability, progress, and success.