October 27,2009

By October 23 Stop & Shop closing on Beverage Hill Avenue for East Providence leaves a food gap for the poor who leave near Prospect Street and those who live off George Bennett Industrial Highway.  Those who do not have proper transportation will not experience a good quest finding wholesome food.

A few questions about this Stop & Shop move:  In addition to the Stop & Shop on Cottage Street, how many supermarkets will full produce stands are left in the city? How can people get nutritious food in Pawtucket?  Will Stop & Shop raise their prices now they are a near food monopoly locally?

Could the city of Pawtucket give a huge tax break to any nutrition-filled supermarket such as Whole Foods to enter the empty stores?   

Peace,  Jim Matuszek

Big Cities like Philadelphia and NYC have offered tax credits for full service markets so it may be possible here as well but some of the local convenience stores like AMA's on Main Street and the Winter Farmers Market make it easier for all people to eat healthy and cheaper/ Nov 7th for the start at 1005 Main Street

There's still Aldi on Newport Avenue, Save-a-Lot on Armistice Boulevard, plus the Stop & Shop at Cottage Street & George Bennett Highway and the 78-Beverage Hill Avenue bus goes to the new East Providence Stop & Shop and the Shaw's across the street. I wouldn't call that a "food desert."

October 29, 2009

Dear MMP,

Thank you for writing.  The supermarkets still existing in Pawtucket are very limited as to what they sell.  Thus, one could go to Aldi's, PriceRite, and and the other stores, and the customer could still not fill his basket with what he needs.   Armando's Meat Market on 264 Pine Street, Pawt., comes close to being a full service supermarket but needs more groceries. However, is Pine Street bus accessible?  

Arthur may be right on the viability of Farmers Market serving the food gap.  When the Farmers Market opens on 1005 Main St. on Saturday, November 7, the food vendors may be busier than they predicted with Food Stamp clients.

One more question:  Why does L'il General on Main Street always sell bologna on sale?  Bologna is horrible for children.   

Again, thank you all for writing back.

Peace, Ludlow1