PUEBLO — A plan is in the works to turn an elementary school on the east side of Pueblo into a grocery store.
The area is considered a "food desert," which means there are few grocery stores nearby.
The non-profit Rocky Mountain "SAR" (RMSER) is teaming up with other community groups to make the old Spann Elementary on the east side of Pueblo into a grocery store.
The community-based organization received a $150,000 planning grant from the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. It will also house a community center, gym, and a greenhouse.
"The community needs it, the community wants it, the community deserves it," said Perdita Butler, a farmer. "Food is a baseline need and it should be high quality. Food is medicine."
The organization hopes to have a final plan for the grocery store by the end of the year. It plans to have public meetings to discuss this project. News5 will let you know when that happens.
___

Colorado Springs District 11 teacher fights to get job back
A Colorado Springs teacher has been suspended from her position for more than two months now. The district won't comment on specifics, but the teacher says she was targeted for speaking out.
____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.