Dean Preston Fights To Get A Grocery Store In The Tenderloin

Credit: Yair Haklai

The Tenderloin is a densely populated neighborhood of roughly 25,000 residents. For many people down on their luck, the Tenderloin is one of the few communities in the Bay Area where they are allowed to exist. Yet despite the size of the neighborhood, the Tenderloin lacks what many more affluent communities take for granted: a grocery store.

This injustice has plagued the Tenderloin for many years, while doing research for this article, I noticed news stories dating back to 2008 about non-profits working tirelessly to bring fresh food to this underserved section of Downtown San Francisco to no avail.

Thankfully, it appears that something may be done to address this. San Francisco Supervisor and the only Democratic Socialist elected in the city, Dean Preston, has made it his mission to get a grocery store in the area. 

You see, right now, folks in the Tenderloin have to bounce around to different stores just to grab their groceries. It’s a hassle. Jennifer Bolen, legislative aide for Preston, put it best: “People have to hit up multiple spots to get all their basics, and sometimes they have to hunt for deals they can afford. It’s a real trek for a single grocery haul.”

Sure, there are some corner shops with some fresh stuff, but it’s not enough. Joshua Lowe, a local, is all for this idea. He’s tired of the pricey corner stores and having to trek to Trader Joe’s half a mile away. Can’t blame him.

There have been some challenges with grocery stores adjacent to the Tenderloin. The now famed Mid-Market Whole Food closed due to several incidents, including someone dying of an overdose in the bathroom. 

Despite these challenges, people still deserve to eat healthy foods if they so choose to. Geography should never be a detriment to someone’s nutritional needs.

Bolen’s been chatting up the locals since Supervisor Preston’s office moved to the Tenderloin a couple of years back. She’s been digging into what the community needs. And guess what? A proper grocery store has been a hot topic for decades.

A recent resolution, pushed by Dean, tasks various city departments with identifying potential sites for the store and providing updates on any existing efforts or plans within a 60-day timeframe. This initiative holds promise for improving access to essential groceries within the Tenderloin District.

Let’s hope this happens soon!

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