Save-A-Lot grocery store in Waukegan, IL, made possible through IFF, state program February 1, 2016

A new Save-A-Lot grocery store opened last month in Waukegan, IL, in an area of the city that officials called a food desert. IFF CEO Joe Neri and a dozen officials toured the 10,000-square-foot facility January 23, including Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-60th; U.S. Rep. Bob Dold, R-10th; Mark Pfister of the Lake County Health Department; and Waukegan Mayor Wayne Motley, City Clerk Maria LaCour, and Alderman Patrick Seger.

The $3.5 million Waukegan Save-A-Lot is one of six grocery stores being developed or financed by IFF through the Illinois Fresh Food Fund, a statewide initiative to bring fresh food to underserved communities. Read the Lake County News-Sun article here.

At the Waukegan location, the Lake County Health Department plans to partner with local groups to educate shoppers on healthy food options and enroll residents in health care plans during on-site visits. The store employs 35 residents and plans to hire two assistant store managers soon.