The abrupt announcement of closing Ahart’s Market at Southside’s 410 Montclair Ave. caused Bethlehem City Council to resolve to ask the administration to find a feasible replacement for the store which will, according to the resolution, “promote equity in order to promote equity and protect the health and well-being of individuals and families in South Bethlehem.”

The closure of Ahart’s, according to the administration, was due to loss of profits related the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ahart’s Market has been in the Southside for approximately 20 years, according to the resolution.

In spite of the C-Town Supermarket located at 230 E. Third St., the area meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) definition of a food desert.

The resolution “urges the Mayor and the City Administration to investigate all feasible options for incentivizing the continued operation of a high-quality grocery store at the Ahart’s Market site in order to promote equity and protect the health and well-being of individuals and families in South Bethlehem.”

Being defined as a food desert by USDA is based on census statistics such as income, transportation and other indicators from the community.

Food deserts are described as having a large proportion of low income households, poor access to transportation and not enough grocery stores providing affordable fresh produce and other healthy groceries.

Because South Bethlehem is a food desert, residents are denied easy access to high-quality food.

A variety of problems facing a community are associated with being in food deserts: higher rates of obesity, increased diabetes and other weight-related diseases. This also impacts children, who need access to nutritious food to get vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.

According to the resolution, Bethlehem has previously offered low-interest loans and other incentives to attract a high-quality grocery store in South Bethlehem.

Because Bethlehem City Council believes that the loss of Ahart’s Market will “seriously harm the health and wellbeing of individuals and families on the Southside,” it passed the resolution 7-0.

“The loss of such a significant source of high quality and affordable food,” according the text of the resolution, “will especially hurt the city’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities.”