'The need is now' | Austin councilmember presses H-E-B to increase food access in Del Valle

KVUE
Author: Kelsey Sanchez, John Diaz
Published: 11:19 PM CDT November 1, 2023

DEL VALLE, Texas — The rapidly growing area of Del Valle is considered a 'food desert' and getting a standard grocery store in the area has become a mission. 

Del Valle, which is filled with more than 70,000 people, has to rely on dollar stores, convenience stores, and small supermarkets such as JD's Supermarkets to get what they need. 

"There's definitely a lack of grocery stores," said Del Valle resident Tanya Robledo.

Robledo said she has lived in the city for years and still has to drive out of her way if she wants to get to an H-E-B. The closest ones are either the H-E-B plus! on East Riverside Drive in Austin or the H-E-B plus! on Hasler Boulevard in Bastrop.

Both stores are roughly 20 to 30 minutes away from Del Valle without traffic.

"We definitely are in need of one because so much is being built here and so many people are here now," said Robledo.

Another Del Valle resident stressed the need for a store like H-E-B, also echoing the lengthy drives and population growth. 

"It's going to keep growing," Ismael Elias said. "So, you know, why not start developing now that way when, you know, all the people are here, it's already here."

In a letter, Austin City Council member Vanessa Fuentes (District 2) pressed the CEO of H-E-B about making Del Valle a priority for a new store. H-E-B bought land in 2016 along Highway 71 and FM 973 but hasn't broke ground on a store.

"We should be providing infrastructure on the front end for the families who live there now," said Fuentes. "There's just not enough options for an area of that size."

Why I'm pushing for an @HEB in Del Valle (🧵)

Everybody deserves access to quality, healthy, affordable food. After years of ongoing advocacy, I sent a letter last week to HEB executives asking for the prioritization of a grocery store in Del Valle... pic.twitter.com/3PWVIO8gdN

— Vanessa Fuentes 💃🏽 (@VanessaForATX) October 30, 2023

KVUE reached out to H-E-B about their plans for the purchased land and got the following statement:

“As we review our long-term planning options it often makes sense to purchase property well in advance of our current real estate needs,” said Leslie Sweet, H-E-B’s director of public affairs for Central Texas. “Development in Southeast Austin and Del Valle has been encouraging and it made sense to invest in land holdings in Del Valle for our future aspirations to bring a store to this community. We expanded our H-E-B Home Delivery service to Del Valle residents and are also making substantial investments in food access partnerships in effort to take immediate action towards improving food access.”

According to Fuentes, she said residents told her H-E-B's delivery service does not reach their area.

"We're going to be following up on that to ensure that H-E-B is offering a service for the whole area," said Fuentes.

Fuentes added that Del Valle is within Austin city limits, but that it's growing more rapidly than the capital city, and the growth will only continue to rise. Fuentes said in the event of an emergency, having a grocery store such as an H-E-B is critical.

While Fuentes presses the supermarket chain to "hurry along," she said she's also working on other ways to provide food access to the city, such as forming a grocery store co-op. But that is still in the early stages of conversation.

Fuentes added that non-profit groups such as the Del Valle Community Coalition have a food pantry at the El Roy Library that provides food for anyone who is in need.

"The community has really rallied together and provided grassroots solutions in the meantime," said Fuentes.