Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced earlier today, a partnership with the Economic Security Project to explore the idea of a municipally owned grocery store, making Chicago the first major city in the United States to consider such an approach.
It’s not just food access – it’s access to quality education, livable wages, affordable housing and much more.
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) September 21, 2023
Food inequity is one symptom of the larger issue of communities left behind. But together, in partnership with business and community, we're working to correct that. pic.twitter.com/SwiTTzs28M
This initiative aims to address not only food access but also other related challenges faced by historically underserved communities, such as access to quality education, livable wages, and affordable housing, as acknowledged in a recent tweet by Chicago's Mayor.
According to a City of Chicago press release, historic disinvestment in certain areas of the city has led to a disproportionate lack of access to quality food retail options, a situation worsened by the closure of at least six grocery stores on the South and West sides over the past two years. These disparities have had a noteworthy impact on environmental and racial justice, with significant concentrations of food insecurity among Black and Latine/x residents.
The Economic Security Project, a national non-profit organization committed to building economic power for all Americans, will provide technical assistance to help determine the feasibility of establishing the first city-owned grocery store in Chicago.
The findings of this partnership's feasibility study will aid in the formulation of the Johnson administration's emerging food retail strategy. This effort, alongside active engagement from experts, community leaders, and Chicago's Food Equity Council, demonstrates a commitment to innovative measures designed to promote community infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, and long-term economic vitality.
