HEIDELBERG, Miss. (WHLT) – Citizens in Jasper County said they need access to fresh groceries.
There is an emerging trend of grocery stores shutting down in rural areas, like the grocery store in Heidelberg which closed in 2019. People in Jasper County have to travel to Bay Springs or Laurel for fresh produce. Food pantries have been tasked with picking up the slack, partnering with Mississippi Food Network to get supplies to feed their people.
The Dollar General in town supplies basic needs but does not offer fresh fruits and vegetables. Seniors who live in this town have to carpool in order to get groceries, spending much of their monthly stipends on food supplies and transportation. The pharmacy in town is also gone, which they said has made life difficult.
All this month, 12 News is joining the fight against hunger. Each week, we’ll be featuring stories about the issue and inviting you to join us.
