Produce for the Poor

The New York Times reports cities across America are enticing convenience stores to stock fresh produce and keep them close to the front of the store by offering equipment like new refrigeration units, marketing expertise and neighborhood promotions. The governments of Newark, Cleveland, New York, Louisville, Baltimore, Oakland and others want to improve the diets of low-income residents and feel if fresh fruit and vegetables are closer at hand, shoppers will choose them over unhealthy chips and cookies.

These corner stores are usually packed with unhealthy options, but for many who live in areas without grocery stores, these are the most convenient ways to get food for their families.

The article also mentions campaigns to get supermarkets into these low-income neighborhoods. A ShopRite opened last year in Philadelphia with help from a $1 million government grant and $7 million in federal tax cuts. New York is considering a similar plan, the article says.

I like enticing grocery stores to open new stores in low-income neighborhoods. In fact, why not even some natural products stores? Making a change to existing convenience stores is OK as a first step, but I suspect the produce sales won’t do well there because consumers don’t go there looking for spinach and fresh basil. Grocery and natural products stores, if they open in these markets, may just open their business to a wide range of untapped shoppers willing to spend $.99 on a pound of carrots over a candy bar. And with government incentives, these stores can invest with less risk.