Food Giant opens in Birmingham, Alabama, 'food desert'

The west side of Birmingham, Alabama, now has a grocery store.

Food Giant opened its new supermarket in Five Points West on Wednesday. Situated in an area with limited food retail options, the store is located at 2220 Bessemer Road.  

“The turnout and support we are receiving from the community has been absolutely incredible. We are very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Five Points West family,” Cole Aiken, manager of the store, told WGB late Friday.

Last March, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced an incentive package to bring a Food Giant grocery store to the area, which he described as a “food desert.” This week, he was in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Citizens in that area deserve more healthy food options,” Woodfin commented last year on the new store announcement. “One of the No. 1 issues I have wanted to address across the entire municipality is solving for food deserts, and the West side has been a priority.”

The city offered $640,000 in incentives to Food Giant's parent company, Albertville, Alabama-based Mitchell Grocery Corp., the mayor’s office reported. The agreement also includes a 10-year revenue share that will be capped at $1 million.

The Food Giant now occupies a space that once housed a Winn-Dixie supermarket.

"The community has cried for amenities such as fresh fruit and vegetables, a hot table, floral, [and] bakery as well as a vibrant meat department with options," Woodfin said. "We are delighted to say that we have accomplished and been able to answer all those expectations." He added, "This is round one. Happy to say that Ensley, Pratt, Titusville, you are all up next."