Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Having seen seven area grocery stores close in recent years - often times leaving behind a food desert in their wake, Congressman Tim Kennedy has said enough is enough.
"That's seven neighborhoods without a store," Kennedy said.
The sudden closing of a Save A Lot grocery store on Genesee Street in Buffalo's Schiller Park neighborhood became a crystalizing moment for Kennedy who has proposed a trio of legislative bills in the House that could help reverse that trend and making it easier for supermarket chains, or independents, open new outltets.
"It's time to bring grocery stores back to the neighborhoods who lost them," Kennedy said
Kennedy's proposed bills:
- Creating a revolving loan fund that would support the opening and operation of grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods and communities.
- Allow the federal government to create new tax credits and grants for grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks and mobile market that operate in "food desert" neighborhoods.
- Reauthorize the Department of Agriculture's Healthy Food Financing program that is used as an incentive to attract grocery stores and fresh food retailers to underserved neighborhoods. The program would run until 2030.
When neighborhood grocery stores close, it's impact is felt hard. Many are forced to shop at convenience stores where foods may not be as fresh, or limited and, often times, more expensive, Kennedy said.
"People are forced to pay more for less at the worst possible time," Kennedy said. "To have access to fresh food, people shouldn't have to jump through hoops."
FeedMore WNY Chief Communications Officer Catherine Shick said the wave of supermarket closings has impacted her agency.
Last year, FeedMore WNY handled approximately 171,000 clients - a 51% jump from 2021.
Shick said one out of every eight Western New Yorkers are considered "food insecure" and for children it is one out of every five.
University District Councilman Rasheed N.C. Wyatt when he sees long times outside of food pantries, it sickens him.
"Are we a third world country because we can't feed our people," Wyatt said.
Kennedy said he is going to press hard to have his three 'food desert' bills approved by his fellow House members.
Rep. Tim Kennedy has three federal bills that could help bring more supermarkets to both urban and rural areas
Rep. Tim Kennedy has three federal bills that could help bring more supermarkets to both urban and rural areas
