Documentary aims to bring attention, solution to 'Food Desert' in downtown New Kensington

Jan. 8—To feed his 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter, Joel Gabelli relies on what he can find at Family Dollar, Dollar General and — sometimes, when he feels like walking farther — Sheetz.

With rare access to a vehicle, Gabelli isn't able to get from his Kensington Manor home in downtown New Kensington to the two grocery stores within city limits, Golden Dawn and Giant Eagle, where he could get fresh foods. He's limited to what he can get to, and bring back, on foot.

"They don't go hungry," Gabelli said. "It would be nice if I had a bigger variety of fresh fruits for them, at least."

Gabelli is among downtown New Kensington residents whom Jamie Smittle talked with for a documentary she made about the lack of access to food and groceries in the city's downtown area.

Smittle, 29, lives in Lower Burrell. She became aware of the problem through her work in New Kensington as a manager of rental properties and as vice president of the New Kensington Arts Center.

"Being part of this community, these people have become my family," Smittle said. "I started to notice a pattern of a shared struggle among tenants and the artist community having trouble accessing food."

Smittle's 10-minute documentary will be shown at 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at Voodoo Brewery, 956 Fifth Ave. A discussion will follow.

New Kensington lost its only downtown grocery store when Shop 'n Save in Central City Plaza closed in 2020. The space has been vacant since.

A Save-A-Lot grocery store in Lower Burrell, near New Kensington's Parnassus neighborhood, closed in 2014. The building now houses a Dollar Tree store and Community Life, which provides services to the elderly.

Smittle said she started working on her documentary, which she filmed with her smartphone, about a month ago.

"It's just really about the fact that in downtown New Kensington most of the residents don't have cars or they're not able to get to a grocery store to get produce," she said. "They're living off the dollar stores."

Smittle brought her project to the attention of city council during public comment at its meeting Monday.

Mayor Tom Guzzo said city officials are aware of the need and have been working on short- and long-term solutions.

Guzzo said the city is working with a grocer, which was not identified, and has applied for a state grant that would allow that grocer to locate its business in downtown New Kensington. The city expects to get word on the grant early this year.

He said the city is also working with a grocery delivery concept company that would provide groceries at lower prices than stores, access to locally grown items and convenient pickup. Pickup locations downtown are being identified, Guzzo said.

Guzzo said the city has gotten approval to use federal covid grant money to provide transportation between downtown and Giant Eagle and Golden Dawn. Those trips will be scheduled early this year.

Westmoreland Transit has a bus route, 14, that runs from downtown New Kensington to both grocery stores every two hours on weekdays, according to Executive Director Alan Blahovec.

Riders can flag down the bus anywhere along its route, he said. The fare is $2, $1 for those who are disabled and free for riders age 65 and older.

Guzzo said the objective of using the grant money is to have additional trips and to cover the cost.

"We will work that out with the transit company," he said.

While a bus could get people to a store, Smittle said it would not be convenient for them having to carry bags back. Blahovec agreed that would not be easy.

Delivery isn't an option for those without access to technology, and it comes with fees that would be a burden to those struggling with money, Smittle said.

"I don't think I personally have an immediate solution," she said. "My goal is to bring attention to this issue and make it a first priority in our community so the people who may have more experience can come together and find a solution.

"New Kensington is unique. We need a solution that is just as unique."

A grocery store or some other food source would bring more traffic to downtown New Kensington and help support the city's growing business community, whose owners still note a lack of daily foot traffic to support them.

"I'm someone who loves food. I care about food. It's a right that everyone deserves to have," Smittle said. "No matter your means, you should be able to access it."

When he does have access to a vehicle, Gabelli said he goes to one of the two Walmart stores (Pittsburgh Mills complex or Harrison), and sometimes to Giant Eagle.

"The two convenience stores aren't enough to supply the grocery needs of how many people live here," he said. "The weight is a bit much for those two stores to bear."

Gabelli is hopeful shedding light on the issue will result in action being taken.

"I am very passionate about this issue because it affects me directly," he said. "I am part of the key demographic of people who this would benefit. That's why I'm really rallying behind this cause."

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@triblive.com or via Twitter .