For Marquita Taylor, a simple visit to her local grocery store became an emotional moment. She was stunned to find only a single tomato left in the produce section—an image symbolic of the deeper struggles facing her community.
KC Sun Fresh, located on Kansas City’s East Side, was once hailed as a major victory for residents who had endured years without a reliable supermarket.
Since its grand opening seven years ago, the store has served as a rare access point for fresh, healthy food in a long-neglected urban neighborhood.
Store Now Struggles With Crime and Declining Customers
Today, that optimism has faded. The store, housed in a city-owned strip mall, now grapples with an overwhelming set of challenges…