Residents of San Francisco’s Fillmore neighborhood have expressed frustration and concern over the closure of the local Safeway store, which will leave many without access to healthy food options. The 40-year-old grocery store is set to close on February 7th, leaving a void that city officials are struggling to fill.
District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood has called for a public hearing to address residents’ concerns and identify short-term solutions. He notes that the closure will have a significant impact on neighboring communities, particularly those with disabilities, low-income households, and senior facilities.
The neighborhood is facing a food desert, defined as areas with limited access to healthy food sources. When grocery stores close, it can take time to replace them, leaving residents with limited options such as fast-food joints and convenience stores.
City officials are working on ensuring that any new development on the site includes a full-service grocery store. In the meantime, they plan to host food giveaways, connect residents to free shuttles for groceries, banking, and other services, and identify new strategies to attract more food-oriented businesses.
A public workshop is scheduled for February 24th to connect affected residents to resources and provide support. The closure of the Safeway store has sparked outrage in the community, with many feeling that their needs have been sidelined once again.
Source: https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/02/04/safeway-closure-fillmore-district-food-desert