Kevin Ressler, President and CEO of the Alliance for Health Equity, attended the opening ceremony and shared his enthusiasm for this vital addition. He emphasized how access to healthy food is a crucial component of social determinants of health, directly impacting the overall health outcomes of our community. He was also amazed by the community turnout at the Ribbon Cutting.  

Enhancing Access to Healthy Foods 

C-Town is more than just a grocery store; it is a critical resource that will provide residents with a variety of fresh produce, whole grains, and other nutritious products, catered to various cultures. By addressing food accessibility in Coatesville, C-Town is centrally located to empower community members to make healthy dietary choices. C-Town also offers Weekly Ads to share specialized discounts and coupons specific to Coatesville. The website also offers recipes for their local produce. Parking is available along Lincoln Highway, and there is also a parking lot directly next to the store, offering plenty of handicap spaces.

“We’re really happy to have C-Town come to Coatesville and received a lot of recommendations from Spanish friends to come here. We love how organized and clean the store is” – Ari, a Coatesville Community Member  

The Importance of Healthy Food Access 

Access to nutritious foods is a fundamental aspect of social determinants of health. When communities have reliable access to fresh food options, they are better positioned to improve health outcomes, reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases, and enhance overall quality of life. The opening of C-Town is a significant step toward ensuring that all Coatesville residents have the resources they need to lead healthier lives. 

“For me, C-Town is better because I’m Hispanic and I used to have to go to Reading to get groceries like vegetables and fresh food. It’s better to have something more local. I love it here” – Enelaida, Community Member  

Meet and Greet with Management at C-Town 

Alyssa Kotzmann, Marketing and Communications Director, was able to ask C-Town’s manager Genesis Marquez a few questions about the opening of the store and its future in Coatesville.  

Alyssa: What initial feedback have you heard from the community?  

Genesis answered the question with lit eyes, stating that there has been a variety of positive comments and feedback from Coatesville residents. She went on to say that the Grand Opening was phenomenal, bringing a large crowd of residents to the ribbon cutting. Genesis was so grateful that her family could bring in a full-service grocery store to the city of Coatesville, one that is walkable distance from homes in the city.  

Alyssa: What products does C-Town Provide?  

Genesis continued the conversation stating that C-Town offers a full butcher for fresh meat, deli meat and cheeses, bakery items, and soon to have catering needs. C-Town also has a full service produce section, consisting of a variety of fruits and vegetables not found in other grocery stores. There are a variety of seafood options too. Genesis mentioned that there will soon be a catering option at the deli, which will offer fresh sandwiches, empanadas, and wings with a Latin twist.  

Genesis also mentioned that C-Town offers an abundance of cultural food items, specifically Asian, Hispanic, and/or Haitian. However, please be sure to check the store out because there are a variety of options that cater to all audiences.  

“What is different about us is that we cater to different cultures. We import special products that normal grocery stores do not have. As a family business, we invite the public to share items you wish we could have, and we will cater to your needs in the future.” – Genesis Marquez  

Lastly, Alyssa asked why Genesis, and her family were excited to be in Coatesville and what they were looking forward to.  

“We are excited to cater to the Coatesville community and be the long-needed food support in Coatesville. C-Town is proud to be a part of helping the community grow” – Genesis Marquez 

Other Ways The Alliance for Health Equity is Supporting Healthy Food Access in Coatesville 

The Alliance for Health Equity recently launched its Seed-And-Scale Match Fund to collectively fundraise nonprofit programs focused on health, mental health, education, employment, housing, and food security. $15,000 in initial grants were awarded to the Believe and Achieve Foundation and Meals on Wheels of Chester County to support food initiatives in Coatesville.  

The Believe and Achieve Foundation supports youth at Rainbow Elementary through providing essential school supplies, hands-on learning experiences, and a weekly B&A Farm Fresh Market, consisting of nutritious food available for the youth.  Meals on Wheels of Chester County delivers well-balanced and affordable meals Monday through Friday at lunchtime to adults who are physically or mentally unable to cook for themselves and who are often alone during the day.   

To learn more about the Seed-And-Scale Match Fund and double your impact to support food initiatives in Coatesville, click here.  

Conclusion 

As we celebrate this important milestone, let us recognize the role that access to healthy foods plays in shaping our community’s health. With C-Town now open, we are one step closer to achieving our goals of health equity and improved well-being for all Coatesville residents. We are excited and grateful to have a supermarket that is catered to community needs in the city of Coatesville.