First Del Paso Heights Supermarket In 30 Years Opens
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Considered the food desert of Sacramento, there is finally a fresh produce option in Del Paso Heights.
Viva Supermarket is the first supermarket in the area in 30 years, and city officials are hailing it as a huge win for the community plagued with crime and poverty.
"We're providing our own economic stimulus here now," said Sacramento City Councilman Allen Warren.
The fully renovated storefront offers an assortment of fresh meat, produce and affordable groceries to a community considered a food desert.
Sean Loloee owns several Viva Supermarkets in California, and says he's investing $1 million to bring good food to a community starving for nutrition.
"We need to promote other things besides chips and soda. Fresh vegetables, fresh meats that's cut and merchandise on a daily basis," he said.
City officials say several major grocery chains turned down the area because of Del Paso Heights' legacy of crime and poverty. But Loloee believes it's a risk worth taking.
Warren says employment is the best crime fighter in the area, and 40 new jobs come with the supermarket.
"Ninety-five percent of the jobs are from this store are from the 95838 zip code. Which is the Del Paso heights zip code. I mean that's phenomenal," he said.
Neighbors like Tomara Walthour say the grand opening offers more than just fresh food.
"It's just a long time coming. And for somebody to be thinking about the community and not giving up on us is just heart warming," Walthour said.
Warren says in the coming months, the city will announce another major project for the area.
