Fighting food insecurity: Community grocery store may be built in East Gainesville following City Commission vote Policy experts and activists say the store would help strengthen food security in the area Photo by Shannon Ahern | The Independent Florida Alligator Some East Gainesville residents may no longer have to travel across the city to shop at a grocery store thanks to a newly approved city initiative. On Thursday, Commissioner Gail Johnson, policy experts and community activists proposed a plan for the city to look into creating a community grocery store in East Gainesville, where several neighborhoods qualify as food deserts. The commission unanimously passed the plan.