KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – The Killeen City Council is working to address the lack of grocery stores in the North Killeen area, which has been considered a food desert since major grocery stores left in 2020.

Next Tuesday, the Killeen City Council will meet to discuss the food desert problem in north Killeen.

City Councilor Jose Segarra estimates that, despite a population of over thirty thousand, there are not enough people in the area to generate the sales that large chain stores need to be successful.

“When you talk to these companies, they know that what they need most is for people to come through the door,” Segarra said.

The lack of grocery stores in the area puts pressure on local organizations.

Raymond Cockrell, executive director of the Killeen Food Center, says having another place to get healthy and affordable food would help the center and meet the needs of residents.

“We have distributed nearly 3 million pounds of food this year. The Central Texas Food Bank’s business model has changed and we have to purchase more food than we used to,” Cockrell explains.

Segarra says the city will do its best to partner with local businesses to meet the need for healthy, affordable food.

“Instead of spending millions on incentives, we should help those who are already there and help them fill the gap that we so desperately need,” Segarra said.

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