Chicago Mayor Calls for Publicly-Owned Grocery Store
Addressing Food Inequity: Chicago’s Plan for a Municipally-Owned Grocery Store
As crime soars in large cities, businesses are fleeing, and Chicago is no exception. Over the past two years, at least six grocery stores have closed in the South and West sides of the city, leaving residents with limited access to fresh food and essential supplies.
In response to this crisis, Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced an exciting partnership with the Economic Security Project. Their goal? To pave the way for the opening of a municipally-owned grocery store in Chicago. This groundbreaking initiative aims to tackle food inequity head-on and provide a sustainable solution for underserved communities.
The Economic Security Project, a national nonprofit with an $8 million budget, is known for advocating for a universal basic income for low-income individuals. In this collaboration, they will provide technical assistance and expertise to define the pathway towards establishing Chicago’s first municipally-owned grocery store.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards rectifying past injustices that have led to disinvestment and limited food access in historically underserved communities. The city acknowledges the existing inequities caused by historic disinvestment, which have been further exacerbated in recent times.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a staggering 64 percent of residents in West Englewood and 52 percent in East Garfield Park live more than half a mile away from their nearest grocery store. In stark contrast, less than 1 percent of residents in West Town face this barrier to food access.
“The City of Chicago is reimagining the role government can play in our lives by exploring a public option for grocery stores via a municipally owned grocery store and market,” explains Ameya Pawar, senior adviser at the Economic Security Project. “Similar to libraries or the postal service, a public option empowers communities with economic choice and power. A city-owned grocery store in the South or West side of Chicago would be a viable way to restore access to healthy food in areas that have suffered from historic and systemic disinvestment.”ABC7 Chicago reported in June 2022 that an Aldi grocery store closed due to “repeated burglaries and declining sales.” The company stated that keeping the store open was no longer sustainable, considering the safety of their employees and customers.In May, a Save A Lot grocery store in Chicago also closed its doors after experiencing multiple break-ins. However, the mayor’s office chooses to focus on race-related inequities as the primary reason for the limited food shopping options. Their statement emphasizes that a government-owned grocery store is part of the Johnson administration’s commitment to correcting the systems and practices that have perpetuated these inequities.
“Food access and security are directly linked to environmental and racial justice,” the statement asserts. It highlights the alarming statistics that 37 percent of black residents and 29 percent of Hispanic residents face food insecurity, compared to 19 percent of the overall population.
To shape their emerging food retail strategy, the Johnson administration plans to conduct a feasibility study. This study will involve input from experts, community leaders, and Chicago’s Food Equity Council. Additionally, the Illinois Grocery Initiative has pledged $20 million in grants and technical assistance to support grocery stores across the state.
If successful, Chicago will become the first major city in the United States to implement a municipally-owned grocery store, setting a precedent for addressing food inequity nationwide. Mayor Johnson passionately states, “All Chicagoans deserve to live near convenient, affordable, healthy grocery options. We recognize the challenges many residents face, especially on the South and West sides. Our administration is committed to innovative, whole-of-government approaches to tackle these inequities and create a better, stronger, and safer future for our youth and communities.”
How does the closure of the Aldi grocery store in the Austin neighborhood highlight the food inequity crisis in Chicago?
recently reported on the closure of an Aldi grocery store in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. This closure serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to address the food inequity crisis in the city.
A municipally-owned grocery store has the potential to be a game-changer for Chicago’s underserved communities. By taking control of the distribution of fresh food and essential supplies, the city can ensure that its residents have access to the nutritious options they need to lead healthy lives.
One of the key advantages of a municipally-owned grocery store is its ability to prioritize the needs of the community over profit margins. Unlike private businesses that may prioritize high-income areas for investment, a public option can take into account the specific needs and preferences of the surrounding community. This means that the store can stock a wide variety of culturally-relevant foods and cater to dietary restrictions or preferences that may be overlooked by mainstream grocery chains.
Moreover, a municipally-owned grocery store can serve as a catalyst for economic development in underserved neighborhoods. By creating jobs and sourcing products locally, the store can contribute to the revitalization of the community and foster a sense of pride and ownership among its residents.
The Economic Security Project’s involvement in this initiative brings a wealth of expertise and resources to the table. Their experience in advocating for a universal basic income and their commitment to economic justice make them a natural partner for this endeavor. With their technical assistance, the city can navigate the complexities of establishing and operating a municipally-owned grocery store effectively.
While the path ahead may be challenging, the potential rewards of this initiative are immense. By addressing food inequity head-on, Chicago can begin to dismantle the systems of disinvestment and neglect that have perpetuated these disparities for far too long. The opening of a municipally-owned grocery store would not only be a practical solution to the immediate problem of limited food access, but it would also send a powerful message of equity and justice to the city’s most vulnerable communities.
As Mayor Johnson and the Economic Security Project embark on this groundbreaking partnership, they have the opportunity to set a new standard for addressing food inequity in urban areas. By leveraging the power of government, the expertise of nonprofit organizations, and the input of local communities, Chicago can create a model that other cities can replicate to ensure that all residents have access to the basic necessities of life.
It is crucial that we support and amplify this initiative to address food inequity in Chicago. The success of this municipally-owned grocery store has the potential to transform not only the lives of its residents but also the broader conversation around poverty, race, and economic justice in our society. Let us come together to ensure that no community is left behind and that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
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