Total Population*



Profile Report: Montgomery Borough, PA and Surrounding Region

July, 2008

Montgomery Borough Profile

Montgomery Borough, PA: At a Glance

Montgomery is a borough in central, Pennsylvania along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. It has a population of about 1700 people. (see Chart 1: Montgomery Borough, PA Population Demographics) The borough is situated halfway between the city of Williamsport and the Borough of Muncy. Williamsport, 7 miles northeast of Montgomery, holds a population of approximately 30,000. To the southeast, Muncy Borough, has an approximate population of 2500 people. (See The Bigger Picture: Purchasing Produce in the Montgomery Region.)

A Brief Economic History

The Montgomery Borough suffers from a weak socioeconomic infrastructure. (See Chart 3: Socio-economic Statistics for Montgomery Borough, PA) The downtown area of Montgomery consists of a one-block section of Main Street, original to the town, has functioned as the commercial center of the borough since Montgomery Borough was incorporation into Lycoming County in 1887.1 Over the past century the Borough of Montgomery has suffered loss of industry, decline of the downtown retail business, compounded by an increasingly aging housing stock with code deficiencies and lacking affordability for borough residents. This depressive state has resulted in a decline in economic activity within a six mile radius of the borough center. Consequently the population has suffered from low income and unemployment. 2

In the 1970’s businesses began to relocate to well-traveled thoroughfares outside of the community. All remaining industry exists along the Route 54 corridor. The loss of industrial and commercial opportunities has created under-utilized or vacant buildings in close proximity to Montgomery’s downtown area.

Currently local leaders plan to move forward from its industrial past and embrace a residential future. The borough is undertaking a number of projects to invigorate its local infrastructure including: public building and housing rehabilitation, a sewer system upgrade including a plant upgrade and expansion, as well as water line maintenance.3

Analysis: Fresh Food Financing Initiative

Fresh Food is Unavailable

Fresh produce is almost entirely unavailable to consumers in Montgomery Borough, Pennsylvania, based on recent research of grocery stores near Montgomery, conducted by Lycoming County Planning and Community Development. Montgomery residents have difficulty accessing fresh foods due to gas prices, travel distances, personal disabilities, and other obstacles. (Read more about these issues in the section The Bigger Picture: Purchasing Produce in the Montgomery Region Implications:The Total Cost.

The Weis Store, 2162 Rte 54, is the sole grocery outlet which sells fresh produce within the Borough of Montgomery. (See Map: Grocery Stores Near Montgomery) According to The Food Trust, and its study Food Geography: How Food Access Affects Diet and Health, there is “a strong association between poverty, poor health, and lack of access to fresh food through grocery stores.” 4

The Weis Store Facility

The Weis Store facility is in poor repair. The lighting is dim, providing for unreadable signage on products to be sold, and an uninviting atmosphere for the consumer. A majority three aisles of the tiny store are dedicated to candy, snacks, and cleaning supplies. A short wall stretches across the back of the store, featuring meats and dairy products. One shelf measuring approximately 10 feet in length near the entrance, provides for a poor selection and insufficient quality.

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Chart 1

Fresh Food Financing Initiative Eligibility Criteria

Statistics for Montgomery Borough, PA*

|Eligibility Criteria |Total Number |Percentage of Montgomery |US Totals |Percentage of US |Montgomery Statistics |

| | |Population | |Population |Compared to US |

| | | | | |Statistics |

|a) Unemployed (16 And Over) |37 |3 |7,947,286 |3.7 |81.1 % |

|b1) Families Below Poverty Level |41 |8.6 |6,620,945 |9.2 |93.4 % |

|b2) Individuals Below Poverty Level |200 |11.8 |33,899,812 |12.4 |95.2 % |

|c) Median Family Income (Dollars) |33,846 |N/A |41,994 |N/A |80.1% |

|d) Total Population |1695 |100.0% |281,421,906 |100.0% |.0006 % |

Chart 2

Montgomery Borough, PA Population Demographics*

|Demographic |Total Number |Percentage |

| | |of Population** |

|Total Population |1695 |100 |

|Median Age (in yrs) |32.3 |N/A |

|Under 5 yrs |126 |7.4 |

|18 yrs and older |1166 |68.8 |

|65 yrs and older |185 |10.9 |

|White |1662 |98.1 |

|Black or African American |9 |.5 |

|American Indian and Alaska Native |6 |.4 |

|Asian |8 |.5 |

|Pacific Islander |2 |.1 |

|Other |5 |.3 |

|Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |19 |1.1 |

*Based on 2000 census results

** Census participants may be of more than one race

Chart 3

Socio-economic Statistics for Montgomery Borough, PA*

|Demographic |Total Number |Percent of |

| | |Population |

|Labor Force (Age 16 And Older) |396 |60.7 |

|Mean Time Travel to Work (Min) Workers age 16 yrs and older | 19.4 |N/A |

|Per Capita Income (Dollars) |13,763 |N/A |

|Non-Institutionalized Disability Status (5 yrs and older) |228 |61 |

*Based on 2000 census results

The Bigger Picture: Purchasing Produce in the Montgomery Region

The Borough of Montgomery and its sixteen hundred some residents are not the only people suffering from a lack of access to fresh produce as a result of economic depression and infrastructure deterioration. These economic, social, and health issues span a larger area, creating an approximate six-mile circumference around the Montgomery Borough. This six-mile circumference, mainly encompassing the 17752 area code, is comprised of the Lycoming County municipalities of Montgomery Borough, the Townships of Brady, and Clinton, Muncy Creek, and Washington, as well as Allegheny Township in Snyder County.

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The Benefits of Fresh Food

Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.5 These key nutrients, consumed in generous servings on a regular basis, can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers which currently kill the majority of American citizens each year.6 Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States today, responsible for more deaths in women than all forms of cancer combined.7 The act of packaging robs foods of necessary nutrients and adds chemically-processed fats, sweeteners and salts which harm the body and lead to heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, as well as blood sugar resistance, belly fat, and diabetes.8 Using more fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and lean meats, nuts, and beans is a safe and healthy way to manage body weight and reduce the onset of obesity and its results.9 (See Chart 7: Nutrition Information, from the Five a Day Campaign.)

Implications: The Total Cost

Timeline

According to the USDA, “harvested fruits and vegetables … have a shelf-life of 7-14 days.10 A substantial supply of fresh produce requires consistent monitoring, re-stocking, and customer-ready assistance, resources which a grocery operator must be able to supply. As a result fresh produce must be purchased frequently, if it is to be a consistent part of the consumer diet. Frequent purchasing of produce implies frequent travel to grocery outlets.

Convenience

Whereas the stock at the Montgomery Weis Store is low, Montgomery area consumers habitually shop outside of their communities. The next closest locations are found in Williamsport which is 10 miles northwest, or Muncy, a distance of 7 miles. (See the map Grocery Stores in and Around Montgomery Borough.) These stores enable Montgomery citizens to purchase a larger quantity of items at one location. One-stop shopping is convenient, and truly essential for many citizens of Montgomery. About 16% of Montgomery’s population is disabled, resulting in limited mobility or ability. These limitations require accessible grocery items. (See Chart 5: Socio-economic statistics for 17752.)

Travel

Increased travel for consumer purposes provides a variety of complications for the consumer. This high frequency of travel, especially for one type of product wears heavily on consumers as individuals and their vehicles. Gas and oil prices are rising to five dollars a gallon, with no sign of decreasing. This trend would point to a logical progression of car-pooling and planned trips outside of town. This approach would indicate that consumers are either spending more money than they budgeted for gas, or sacrificing their consumption of fresh produce. With 43.5% of the 17752 zip code population is unemployed and 9.1% of 17752 zip code individuals below the poverty line in this harsh economy, the purchasing of produce could be sacrificed to save money. As noted in the Benefits of Fresh Food Section above, the elimination of produce from the Montgomery diet could have detrimental affects on the health of Montgomery citizens of all ages. (See Chart 5: Socio-economic statistics for 17752)

Chart 4

Fresh Food Financing Fresh Food Financing Initiative

Eligibility Criteria

Statistics for PA Zip Code Area 17752*

|Eligibility Criteria |Total Number |Percentage of |National Average |Total Number U.S. |Compared to National|

| | |Population | | |Average |

|a) Unemployed (16 And Over) |3241 |43.5% |3.7% |7,947,286 |.04% |

|b1) Families Below Poverty Level |91 |6.4% |9.2% |6,620,945 |.0014% |

|b2) Individuals Below Poverty Level |445 |9.1% |12.4% |33,899,812 |.0013% |

|c) Median Family Income (Dollars) |41,689 |N/A |50,046 |N/A |83% |

|d) Total Population |5741 >1500 |100.0% |N/A |281,421,906 |.002% |

*Based on 2000 census results

Chart 5

Socio-economic Statistics for PA Zip Code 17752*

|Demographic |Total Number |Percent of |

| | |Population |

|Labor Force (Age 16 And Over) |2500 |54.6% |

|Mean Time Travel to Work (Min) Workers age 16 yrs and older | 20.3 |N/A |

|Per Capita Income (Dollars) |15427.00 |N/A |

|Disability Status (5 yrs and older) |716 |15.7 |

*Based on 2000 census results

Chart 6

PA Zip Code 17752 Population Demographics*

|Demographic |Total Number |Percentage** |

| | |of Population |

|Total Population |5741 |100.0% |

|Median Age |37.3 |N/A |

|Under 5 yrs |310 |5.4% |

|18 yrs and over |4469 |77.8% |

|65 yrs and older |684 |11.9% |

|White |5339 |93.0% |

|African American |340 |59.0% |

|American Indian and Alaska Native |14 |2.0% |

|Asian |20 |3.0% |

|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander |0 |.01% |

|Other |5 |0.1% |

|Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |57 |.4% |

*Based on 2000 census results

** Participants may contribute to more than one demographic

Chart 7

|Fruits and vegetables are sources of many vitamins, minerals and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Some of these nutrients |

|may also be found in other foods. Eating a balanced diet and making other lifestyle changes are key to maintaining your body’s good health. |

|Fiber |

| |

|Diets rich in dietary fiber have been shown to have a number of beneficial effects including decreased risk of coronary artery disease. |

|Excellent vegetable sources: |

|navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, lima beans, white beans, soybeans, split peas, chick peas, black eyed peas, lentils, artichokes |

| |

| |

|Folate* |

| |

|Healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect. |

|Excellent vegetable sources: |

|black eyed peas, cooked spinach, great northern beans, asparagus |

| |

| |

|Potassium |

| |

|Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain a healthy blood pressure. |

|Good fruit and vegetable sources: |

|sweet potatoes, tomato paste, tomato puree, beet greens, white potatoes, white beans, lima beans, cooked greens, carrot juice, prune juice |

| |

| |

|Vitamin A |

| |

|Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections. |

|Excellent fruit and vegetable sources: |

|sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, kale, collard greens, winter squash, cantaloupe, red peppers, Chinese cabbage |

| |

| |

|Vitamin C |

| |

|Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keep teeth and gums healthy. |

|Excellent fruit and vegetable sources: |

|red and green peppers, kiwi, strawberries, sweet potatoes, kale, cantaloupe, broccoli, pineapple, Brussels sprouts, oranges, mangoes, tomato juice, cauliflower |

| |

|Good sources: These foods contain 10 to 19 percent of the Daily Value per reference amount. |

| |

|Excellent sources: These foods contain 20 percent or more of the Daily Value per reference amount. |

| |

|*The Institute of Medicine recommends that women of childbearing age who may become pregnant consume 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid per day to supplement |

|the folate they receive from a varied diet. Synthetic folic acid can be obtained from eating fortified foods or taking a supplement. |

Nutrition Information

*

Conclusion:

Montgomery Borough, PA and its surrounding zip code area 17752, a radial region of approximately 6 miles, is underserved. Too few grocery operators exist per capita within a fifty-mile circumference. The available facilities are not providing substantial fresh food options to the local consumers, placing increased burdens on Montgomery area consumers to pay for gas and other travel to alternative grocery outlets. These burdens will result in consumer dissatisfaction, and may result in long term health complications

such as heart disease and cancers from lack of fresh produce consumption.

Socio-economically, without increased access to produce or renovations to the Weis Store facility in Montgomery, much-needed money will continue to be spent in other consumer venues, perpetuating the decline of the socio-economic infrastructure in the Montgomery Borough region.

1 Bohner, Walter. “Welcome to Montgomery Borough.” history

2 Ibid.

3Roller, Terry and William Kelly. “Project Prosperity Application.” 10 Sept. 2007.

4 The Food Trust. Food Geography: How Food Access Affects Diet and Health

5 Ibid.

6 Mayo . “Heart Disease Prevention.”

7 Mayo “Heart Disease in Women: A Mayo Clinic Specialist Answers Questions.”

8 Reader’s . “4 Most Harmful Ingredients in Packaged Foods.”

9 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “Fruit and Vegetable Benefits. ”

10 USDA. “Cut Ups.”

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