It’s official: Coleman now has a grocery store.
Called the Coleman Community Market, the grocery store is the result of a collaborative partnership between Greater Midland and United Way of Midland County.
Located inside the Greater Midland Coleman Family Center at 4839 N. Coleman Schools Drive in Coleman, the market is open to the entire community all year long. It provides a selection of produce, meats, dairy and shelf-stable items.
“This market is a game changer because it offers a sustainable solution to an area that was lacking healthy food accessibility,” said Andrea Secrease, Executive Director of Greater Midland North & Coleman Family Centers. “Community members will now be able to shop for healthy groceries close to home.”
Prior to the opening of the market, Coleman was considered a food desert, Secrease explained. The nearest grocery store was over 11 miles away with no consistent means of public transportation to help those without a reliable vehicle.
The unique pricing model at the store is also a cost-effective solution for community members.
“Along with accessibility, we prioritized affordability,” Secrease said. “The market will purchase high-quality goods at wholesale prices and mark them up by a single dime, then offer those goods to community members helping to stretch their dollar further.”
The market offers a wide range of goods for grocery store-goers.
“We sell high-quality foods and recognizable brands that you’d typically see at a Meijer or Kroger,” Secrease said.
Both Greater Midland and United Way identify health as a value pillar for their organizations, which helped inspire the market’s opening.
“Health is vital to the wellness of our neighbors; poor diets contribute to obesity and other diet-related diseases,” said Holly Miller, President and CEO of United Way of Midland County. “Coleman Community Market provides accessibility to healthy ingredients so people can have more nutrient-dense meals: a key component of overall health and wellness.”
According to the American Psychological Association, ensuring food security is a national priority, particularly for young children, because it is adversely associated with their current and future health.
“We truly are what we eat. Investing in children’s health and well-being early in life sets them on a good trajectory for future success,” Miller said. “We are honored to support Greater Midland in launching this innovative and sustainable source for healthy food.”
Coleman Community Market will not only serve as a grocery store, but an overarching resource hub to connect community members with available resources. The market will embed a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) into daily operations.
“Having a CHW on staff and available to community members means further connection, assistance in navigating systems and resources resulting in more stability for families and individuals,” Secrease added.
Now officially open for business, Coleman Community Market hours include: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit https://www.greatermidland.org/ccm
