Wal-Mart Failing the Grade in Food Deserts
| Community, faith and business leaders stood in support of Wal‐Mart Associates with the Alliance for Healthy and Responsible Grocery Stores (“Alliance”) to address the neighborhood impacts of Wal‐Mart’s efforts to enter the grocery market. The rally, part of a national day of action, brings into focus Wal‐Mart’s poor record on a key criterion of the report card grading system – job quality, which rates the wages, benefits and employee relations of each grocery chain. | 
Photo Caption: Wal-Mart Associates David Cruse and Angie Rodgriguez speaking out on the work conditions at Walmart |
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Not Making the Grade:
A Community Evaluation of Grocery Chains
| The Alliance evaluates L.A.’s grocery chains and issues report cards on how they are doing at meeting community needs in: - Food Access - Store Quality - Job Quality |
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Food Deserts in Los Angeles
The term “food deserts” is used to describe the reality in some communities that lack adequate quality, healthy food options,. Residents of food desert communities are forced to travel far distances to access healthy food, or rely on inferior food options and fast food outlets.
Food deserts are a consequence of the desertion of low-income neighborhoods by major grocery chains. In Los Angeles, these chains have made business decisions not to open stores in low income communities, like South L.A., East L.A. and the Northeast San Fernando Valley, and to only open or expand in wealthier parts of the city.
The link between food options and health has been demonstrated in numerous public health studies. Families with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables rely on high-calorie, low nutrient processed foods from fast food restaurants and convenience stores. As a result, many low-income and minority residents suffer from higher rates of diet-related health problems. Supermarkets also play a vital role in the Southern California economy, as major employers. So the absence of major grocery stores in food desert communities has meant serious health consequences for families, as well as a lack of good jobs in communities.