Provide poorest communities with fresh food options

[flashl]

Judith Bell, president, PolicyLink - Oakland

The arrival of the United Kingdom grocery chain Tesco in the USA is a welcome sign that the private sector is waking up to the harmful void of fresh foods in our low-income communities ("British Invasion hits grocery stores," Cover story, Money, Monday).

Too many poor communities lack a supermarket or any other place to buy fresh food. Residents are forced to make do with the preservative-laden and sugar-heavy foods at their local convenience stores or fast food outlets. Is it a surprise that low-income communities are hardest hit with the nation's obesity and diabetes crises? Tesco's plan for small stores in low-income communities won't solve America's health woes on its own. But getting fresh foods into the hands of all people is a great step in that direction.

Opinion - USA Today

[TexasBushwhacker]

1. Our farmers market takes food stamps

A small step, but at least it's in the right direction.

[bobbolink]

2. And most "farmer's markets" are for those with $$$$$$

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. But if they accept food stamps

then someone who has food stamps can shop there for fresh vegetables and such if they so choose. I would think that having a choice would be a good thing.

[bobbolink]

5. Choice is great. And when it's much more expensive than a store, so what?

Let 'em eat cake.

[TexasBushwhacker]

7. When was the last time you met a person with a small farm

who was wealthy? Don't they have the right to charge what they can? By eliminating the middle man, their goods still cost less when they sell them at the farmer's market than when they wholesale them to a grocer.

[bobbolink]

8. You might want to remember the title of the OP.....?

"Provide poorest communities with fresh food options"

[sergeiAK]

4. Ours is way cheaper than the grocery stores

But the clientele is mostly the suburbanite yuppies.

Doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is.

[bobbolink]

6. "But the clientele is mostly the suburbanite yuppies. "

Yes.

Other DUers have written about this, so I won't repeat it all.

The ones I've seen have been actually MORE expensive.

Plus, it's more driving, and more time spent. For those who work 2 jobs to keep their family above water, that's not possible.

[fight4my3sons]

9. ours does not, but our WIC gives us some checks for the

farmers market. Granted $30 for the season is good for about one trip to the farmers market :(
I'm all about supporting local farmers. I have farmers in my family (in another state), but unfortunately I can't afford to support the local farmers at the farmers market.

[bobbolink]

10. "unfortunately I can't afford to support the local farmers at the farmers market. "

Exactly!

Thank you for putting it out there like it is.

[fight4my3sons]

11. Don't get me wrong, I believe in buying local

and supporting small farms. It is just that I personally can't afford to most of the time. When I can find things at the farmers markets that are affordable I do buy there. There are a few stands that are known for their affordable prices and we frequent them. We are expanding our garden at home this year, luckily we have kind landlords who don't mind and even paid for the topsoil.