Mandela Market to expand by 1500 feet to incorporate healthier food options

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Mandela Market on E. Ferry Street and Jefferson Avenue is adding 1,500-square-feet to its store. The goal is to make room for a bigger kitchen and healthier food options like fruits and vegetables.

Mandela Market is located on Buffalo's East Side, an area federally recogonized as a food desert.

"This happens to be a food desert, " Lt Governor Kathy Hochul (D) said at the groundbreaking press conference for Mandela Market. "What that means is people have to travel a great distance to get access to a salad or fresh fruits."

For those living on Buffalo's east side, the closest grocery store is Tops on Jefferson Avenue, but for those without a car that means walking for at least 15 minutes.

"We understand a lot of ppl don’t have cars and its tough to take long walks in winter when wind is coming, so access to a bus line was an important criteria,“ Lt Governor Hochul said.

Renovations on Mandela Market will take up to 5 to 6 months.