As grocery stores disappear across Milwaukee, residents face longer trips for fresh food

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - As grocery stores continue closing across Milwaukee, more families are finding it harder to access fresh food close to home.

Since 2025, at least seven full-service grocery stores have closed across Milwaukee County, leaving some neighborhoods with fewer options and forcing residents to travel farther for basic necessities.

Ald. Russell Stamper II said his office was flooded with calls after several store closures.

"An abundance of calls related to what's happening, why are they leaving, how come we did not know and what we're going to do for groceries and prescriptions," Stamper said. "The concern was immediate."

Residents on Milwaukee's north side say the closures have left communities struggling to find nearby food options.

Brittney Taylor, who lives near the closed Pick 'n Save on N. 35th Street, said the loss has been devastating for residents.

"It's leaving us high and dry. It's leaving us with no resources, no food, no access," she said.

Innocent Nwagbara, who lives near the former Sentry Foods location, said convenience matters when it comes to buying groceries.

"Where are you going to go and get tomatoes and oil and potatoes?" he said. "You need somewhere that's close to home, convenient."

For many residents, transportation has become another obstacle.

From N. 27th Street and W. Center Street, the nearest full-service grocery store is more than 2.5 miles away — roughly a 50-minute walk.

A trip by bus could require multiple steps. Traveling from the Pick 'n Save at 5700 W. Capitol Drive to the 27th and Center area involves walking to a bus stop at 60th and Capitol, taking the RedLine to 27th and Capitol, transferring to the PurpleLine and then continuing south to Center Street.

There are a few routes you could take, but this was what was recommended by MCTS during our particular trip to the store.

The trip requires two buses, a transfer and several walks while carrying groceries. It also costs more after Milwaukee County Transit System increased its single-ride fare to $2.75 this year.

Ald. Stamper said transportation remains one of the biggest barriers to food access.

"You need groceries and access to healthy affordable food in your community and transportation is a barrier," he said.

As access to grocery stores shrinks, community organizations are stepping in to help.

At UMOS, Wellpoint Care Network and its partners have added food distribution to monthly community events.

Marjorie Rivera-Torres, UMOS vice president of social services, said families receive enough food to last well beyond a single day.

"We bring all the food staples for the family so they can go home with everything that they need for more than a week," Rivera-Torres said. "They have everything they need to fix an entire meal."

Rivera-Torres said organizations are also working together to expand food distribution efforts throughout the city.

"We have some hubs with other organizations in the northside area. For example, Silver Spring is having distribution of food as well," she said.

Still, community leaders say food pantries cannot fully replace neighborhood grocery stores.

To address the problem long term, Stamper introduced a resolution designed to help attract and retain grocery stores while giving residents more notice before a store closes.

"One was regarding notices," Stamper said. "Grocery stores now have to notice the council and the community that they are interested in leaving. The first 30 days we look to retain them. After that we support their transition and let the community know that this grocery store is moving."

The city is also working to distribute nearly $3 million in funding aimed at improving food access.

Under the proposal, between $30,000 and $100,000 would be available to support improvements at existing grocery stores. An additional $35,000 would help incentivize local hiring. About $1 million would help launch new grocery stores, while another $500,000 would support a Fresh Food Fund designed to increase access to fresh food in Milwaukee neighborhoods.

For residents watching stores disappear from their communities, city leaders hope those investments can help prevent food access from becoming an even bigger challenge.

To find food resources in Milwaukee County, click here. You can find the U.S.D.A.'s classification on low-income, low-access census tracts here.