Nonprofit grocery store Fare & Square opens in Chester, Pa.

CHESTER, Pa. -- Fare & Square, the nation's first nonprofit grocery store of its kind, opened in Chester, Pa. It is the first full service grocery store to open in Chester, a “food desert” area, since 2001.



Fare & Square will sell a full array of food with a focus on fresh products in a 16,000 sq. ft. store with six departments including produce, deli, fresh meat, seafood, dairy, frozen and dry goods featuring brand name and private labels.



"Food deserts are one of the most pervasive problems plaguing cities across the country," said Bill Clark, president and executive director of Philabundance. “Chester has been without a grocery store for far too long, and we are so proud to be able to bring the first grocery store to Chester.”



Chester has been without a grocery store for 12 years, and more than 54% of families in the City must travel too far for groceries, according to a Philabundance Community Survey conducted in July 2010.