WARREN, Ohio - A community group is moving forward with plans to make their own grocery store in Warren. The Grace African Methodist Episcopal Church is partnering with the Freedom BLOC to conduct a feasibility study of where and how big the store can be.

Currently, parts of the city don't have grocery stores for miles, limiting people's options.

“We don't have quality access, in many respects, to food, healthy food,” Rev. Shane Floyd, Pastor of the Church in Warren said. 

Most people in the city shop at corner stores for their groceries, which often don’t offer fresh foods.

“Even when you’re going to the Family Dollar or the Dollar General that's really where most of our people are shopping at because transportation is a very big issue,” Myles Jay, a Community Organizer for the Freedom BLOC in Warren said.  

One possible area where the store could go is in Warren's sixth ward but Rev. Floyd said the study will look at all possibilities in the city. 

The community store would be different then a typical chain store by giving the public more of a say in things.

“They have a determination that is unmerited in the sense that what goes on the shelf they have a part in that. Local entrepreneurs that want to get their products out they have a role in that of course as well,” Rev. Floyd said. 

Those leading the charge hope a store makes things easier on families and repairs other community issues.

“Part time food insecurity is a huge reason for violence in our communities…eating unhealthy foods, it does something to the brain and the body that forces us and causes us to become more violent,” Raymond Greene Jr. the Executive Director of Freedom BLOC said. 

“I just think that when you talk about food you bring the community together,” Honeya Price, Warren’s Sixth Ward Councilwoman said “... We can’t do this alone, we're going to need support from everybody in the community.”

A public meeting will be held Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. at the Warren Public Library where the group leaders will go over the studies expectations and their plans for the store.

The Freedom BLOC group will be fully funding the $30,000 study. It's expected to be complete in the fall.