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Community weighs in on Dave's Market leaving Collinwood

On the "Sound of Ideas," we discuss the possibility of a looming food desert in Collinwood, following the announcement that Dave's Market is leaving the area at the end of April. [Thaiview/shutterstock]
On the "Sound of Ideas," we discuss the possibility of a looming food desert in Collinwood, following the announcement that Dave's Market is leaving the area at the end of April. [Thaiview/shutterstock]

The Centers for Disease Control defines a food desert as an area with limited healthy and fresh food access. 

Following last week's announcement that Dave's Markets is closing its Euclid Beach store in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood a few weeks from now, after more than 30 years in that community, health experts and community leaders started to worry that this area could shortly become a food desert, meaning no grocer offering fresh foods and produce, within a specific area.

The next closest Dave's market is about 3.5 miles away, in Euclid, and while that may not be a big deal for people with cars, or who are able-bodied, there are many seniors and disabled residents who live in the apartment buildings that essentially surround the shopping plaza where Dave's is currently.
To them, getting on a bus is not an easy option. 

This is a complex story with a lot to dig into, we've got the grocery stores stated reason for the closure, and the landlord's rebuttal. 

We'll discuss the city stepping in to try to get the market to stay. 
We'll talk about the economic struggles of the east side of Cleveland, and at-large changes in the grocery industry. 
We'll hear from residents about how this closure will impact their lives. 
And, we'll talk about the health costs of food deserts, and whether access to healthy food should be a human right. 

Later this hour, we'll hear this week's Shuffle episode, where host Amanda Rabinowitz profiles 'The Vindy's, and speaks to singer Jackie Popovic. The band proudly hails from Youngstown Ohio.

-Lisa Ryan, Health Reporter, Ideastream Public Media

-Roger Sikes, Program Manager, Creating Healthy Communities, Cuyahoga County Board of Health 

-Caroline Peak, Collinwood Branch Manager, Cleveland Public Library

-Councilman Mike Polensek (Ward 8) 

-Lee Chilcote, Founder and Editor, The Land

Rachel is the supervising producer for Ideastream Public Media’s morning public affairs show, the “Sound of Ideas.”