Joe Gentry
Where did all the neighborhood grocery stores go? Many have disappeared, replaced by large retail chains. But these chains themselves have also undergone significant changes, leading to a rise in “food deserts.” The term “food desert” came into use in 1995, but the issue has been around since the late 1980s. According to the USDA, a food desert is an area where people have limited access to affordable and nutritious food, often more than a mile away from a grocery store in urban areas.
In the 1960s, I often walked past three local markets on my way to school in Alpena: M&M Market, Handi-Market, and Sunny-Side Market. Back in 1946, my hometown had 46 grocery stores. Some of these stores were still open in the 1960s. Today, if you live in Alpena, finding a grocery store nearby is a challenge, and residents in rural areas can face a 10-mile drive just to shop for food.
So, what caused this decline? It started with a change in policy regarding the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936. This law aimed to prevent price discrimination, ensuring retailers received fair offerings from suppliers. For years, the FTC enforced this law, supporting a competitive grocery market with a balance between local stores and larger chains. In 1954, the top eight supermarket chains held just 25% of the grocery market share; that number remained similar until 1982.
However, the enforcement of this act waned, particularly under President Reagan’s administration, which believed that strict antitrust laws were stifling business. This change opened the door for big retailers like Walmart to take control. By 2001, Walmart was the largest retailer in the U.S. Other chains like Kroger and Safeway followed suit, merging and consolidating to strengthen their market position.
The surge in large retailers led to a significant decline in independent grocery stores. From 1982 to 2017, the market share held by independent retailers dropped from 53% to just 22%. Local businesses, once the heart of communities, struggled to survive as they couldn’t secure fair prices from suppliers. In contrast, large chains thrived, knowing consumers would travel distances to shop at their stores.
Even during the pandemic, when supply issues arose, Walmart maintained its shelves, often at the expense of smaller retailers, which contributed to the growing food deserts. Restoring the balance requires reinstating policies like the Robinson-Patman Act, allowing local businesses to compete effectively with mega-chains.
It’s vital to recognize how food deserts impact rural and working-class communities. Addressing this issue with tangible solutions could provide essential support to those feeling left behind in small-town America.
Joe Gentry is the executive director of the United Way of Northeast Michigan. You can reach him at 989-354-2221 or jgentry@unitedwaynemi.org.
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