Save-a-Lot Opens in Nashville Food Desert

Rick Akins lives across from the new Save-a-Lot on Clarksville Highway.

The discount grocery store chain Save-a-Lot has opened a location in one of Nashville’s so-called “food deserts,” where fresh food is more than a mile away. The North Nashville store is part of the company’s new business strategy.

Walking home from the newly constructed Clarksville Highway Save-a-Lot, Rick Akins says he knows what it’s like to live in a food desert. He’s been here all his life.

“The nearest grocery store, you had to catch a bus that way or catch one that way. So this place will be more like a godsend.”

City officials suggested this location when the company asked for recommendations.

Save-a-Lot’s Jimmie Black says over the next five years, the chain expects to double its number of small, no-frills stores nationwide.

“We serve underserved communities with fresh fruits and vegetables and quality meats and take care of the consumers that don’t have a car.”

St. Louis-based Save-a-Lot already has two older locations on Gallatin Pike, but this is the first built intentionally in one of Nashville’s food deserts.

Miriam Leibowitz with Community Food Advocates tries to get grocery stores to move into these areas, which can be a tough sell.

“But it’s not impossible. I think that everyone eats. And each of the neighborhoods that we’re working with have called for more fresh food to be available.”

Another high-priority area is the Edgehill neighborhood – south of downtown – where Leibowitz hopes Save-a-Lot will put its next new store.