Ideal Food Basket, a 15,000 square foot store featuring a bakery, deli and seven aisles of groceries, opened last week in Bethlehem’s south side, considered by the USDA to be a low income and low access area (formerly known as a food desert). The building previously housed Ahart’s Market, which closed two years ago after 20 years in business.
Juan Diaz, who owns the C-Town Supermarket nearby, acquired the property for $2.3 million in 2021 and oversaw a complete renovation.
“Everything’s fresh, and we’re really excited to welcome the community,” said Store Manager Kevin Luna. “Everyone’s welcome here – Lehigh students, neighbors, everyone.”
Ideal Food Basket stores are members of America’s Food Basket LLC, a cooperative of about 70 independent food grocers in Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.