United Providers of Health to bring grocery store to Bethel

BETHEL, N.C. (WNCT) — If you live in Bethel you could soon have a new place to shop.

The United Providers of Health is a group from Raleigh and they’re in the process of establishing the People’s Grocery Store on Main Street. It’s pretty big considering that the town currently only has a Family Dollar and Dollar General. Most people are driving to Greenville or Tarboro to get their groceries.

The town’s Piggly Wiggly was closed back in the early 2000s. The new space is being worked on at Main Street near the Bethel Hardware Store. The Company, United Providers of Health, started a COVID-19 testing site in Bethel and other rural communities in 2020. Their focus is to address food and health deserts now, which includes places like Bethel.

Town leaders say that this will be a huge addition.

“The folks in the town, they’re driving 20, 25 minutes to get an apple. Right. And I think we say your zip code to not dictate whether you get an apple, orange or a hot plate.” said Jerome Brown, managing partner of United Providers of Health.

“Access is one of the issues that are challenges for the town of Bethel, and we want to be able to provide access to healthy food, health care, also jobs, housing. We’re going to have, of course, healthy foods fresh from a farmer’s superstore. Also, there’s going to be a subway station where you can get a pre-prepared foods,” said Caroline Mayo, managing partner of United Providers of Health.

The 4,500-foot space will be filled with fresh meat and produce for people once it’s open. Officials added that they’re already working on installing refrigeration units. They hope to have the store open in late summer of this year.

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