Unique grocery store coming to downtown Saginaw

SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) – The Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen is preparing to open a new nonprofit grocery store in Saginaw.

In 2026, the lawn at 310 Meredith St. will be transformed into a 12,000-square-foot building. There will also be parking on the site. The inside of the building will mimic a traditional grocery store, including a grocery store, deli and even demonstration kitchens to teach people how to cook healthy food.

The difference is that members will purchase items with points, according to Tina Swanton, general manager of the Saginaw Community Food Clube and Kitchen.

“All nutrition is scored on a point system,” Swanton said. “From one to six points, the healthier the food, the lower the scores.”

The nonprofit will use a sliding scale of membership based on a person’s income and the number of people living in the home. Membership will cost between $11 and $16 per person per month.

“We’re really trying to make sure it’s as close to the river as possible, knowing that it’s needed on both the east and west sides of the river.” Swanton said.

According to the Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen, Saginaw is considered a food desert, especially in zip codes 48601 and 48607. People in zip codes 48601 and 48602 were very adamant about food resource options, making this a good and viable option to try to serve both river banks.

People can use the store’s unique points system, where a loaf of bread or a box of cereal will cost between one and six points, and fresh produce will always cost one point. Saginaw Community Food Club and its food will primarily be purchased from the Eastern Michigan Food Bank.

“Some of them may be donations. Part of this can be done through partnerships with local farmers,” Swanton said. “The project will go to bid here in about a week and we expect to open in the first half of 2026.”

The nonprofit plans to share even more information with the community once the bidding process is complete.