SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a sweeping new effort Monday to address food deserts across the city, following the sudden closure of the Fred Meyer store in Lake City — a move that left some residents without nearby access to affordable groceries or medicine.
Through an Executive Order signed this week, Harrell directed city departments to take a multipronged approach to expanding food access, including exploring the potential acquisition of the now-vacant Fred Meyer property at 13000 Lake City Way NE. The goal, Harrell said, is to ensure the site continues to serve community needs and does not worsen existing inequities.
“As mayor, I am fighting for every neighborhood in Seattle to have access to affordable food and medicine, which is essential for the health and safety of the people of our city,” Harrell said in a statement. “This solution-focused Executive Order explores all options available to the City to ensure our children, older adults, people with mobility issues, and families have equitable access to fresh, local, affordable, and culturally relevant food and medicine.”…