Chicago’s “food deserts” are underserved communities, usually in African-American neighborhoods, where there are little, to no options, when it comes to purchasing healthy foods.
Most of the residents who live in these so-called “food deserts”, are forced to travel great distances to buy their groceries - or spend their money at local corner stores, or fast food restaurants.
In an effort to capitalize on the food-drought in Chicago’s black neighborhoods and “serve the community”, Save-A-Lot has opened five new stores on the city’s south side:
- 8240 South Stony Island Avenue
- 148 West 79th Street
- 344 East 63rd Street
- 6858 South Aberdeen Street
- 6701 South Western Avenue
On the upside, the new grocery stores will provide healthier food choices and badly needed employment opportunities. But why do grocery-store-deficits exist in these neighborhoods, in the first place? And what role does crime and the lack of community support for grocery stores - play in the creation of Chicago's “food deserts”?
On November 23, 2010, a man, presumably a Save-A-Lot customer, was robbed at the grocery chain's Chicago, Austin neighborhood store.
While I feel for the innocent contributing residents in these crime ridden areas and think they should have these options, I read an article about the plight of the south side several months ago and it talked about the change the south side went through when the factories left, the whites left and the blacks moved in. It mentioned how, over time, the businesses that had stayed had been robbed blind and soon, they left as well, which is why it is considered a "food desert" now. If you want what most people have as far as shopping goes, than do what most people do...pay for your items! Also, speak up and bust the gangs and the ghetto thugs that roam the south side infringing on your ability to enjoy that neighborhood. SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN.
ReplyDeleteI wish the residents and Save-A-Lot much success. Hopefully, these new stores will forge a long-lasting and prosperous relationship within the communities they serve.
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