99% Invisible: Food Deserts
Host: Roman Mars
Episode Released: July 8, 2025
Location: Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Producers: Jason De Leon, Chris Berube
Introduction to Woonsocket and Food Deserts
The episode begins with an exploration of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, a town emblematic of broader issues related to food deserts in the United States. Chris Berube sets the scene:
"This is 99% invisible. I'm Chris Berube, sitting in this week for Roman Mars in Woonsocket, Rhode Island..." (00:51)
Woonsocket, once vibrant with local businesses and community hubs like movie theaters and arcades, has transformed into a food desert—a low-income area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.
Personal Stories and Community Impact
Gene Michon, a third-generation resident of Woonsocket, provides a personal narrative of the town's decline:
"Back in the 1970s... I remember always jumping at the chance to go with my mom to the grocery store." (01:50)
Gene recalls the proliferation of local grocery stores and the communal experience of shopping. However, as factory jobs disappeared and economic hardship set in, these stores gradually closed, leaving only one remaining supermarket—Price Rite—on the town's outskirts.
"It's sad that people don't have other choices to make... this Price Rite is the only spot they can go to get refreshed." (03:29)
Understanding Food Deserts
Chris Berube explains the concept of food deserts:
"Woonsocket is what's known as a food desert. These are low income communities where it's hard to find groceries." (03:49)
The USDA defines food deserts as areas where residents live more than a mile from the nearest grocery store, a significant barrier considering that nearly 20% of Woonsocket's residents lack access to a vehicle.
Historical Context: The Rise and Fall of A&P
The episode delves into the historical factors contributing to the emergence of food deserts, focusing on the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P), one of America's first national grocery chains.
A&P revolutionized the grocery industry by eliminating delivery services and credit systems used by small, independent grocers. Instead, they implemented a business model based on cash transactions and vertical integration, which allowed them to offer the lowest prices in town.
"A and P did away with deliveries and purchases on credit. Instead, customers would pay on the spot with cash." (07:31)
By the early 1930s, A&P had expanded to over 15,000 stores nationwide, using its scale to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers while pressuring competitors by not offering them the same discounts.
The Robinson-Patman Act and Antitrust Legislation
Stacy Mitchell, a food researcher, explains how the Robinson-Patman Act of 1936 was a pivotal response to A&P's monopolistic practices:
"The Robinson Patman act outlaws price discrimination... suppliers must offer the same deals to all retailers." (12:40)
This legislation aimed to level the playing field, preventing large chains like A&P from dominating the market at the expense of smaller, local grocers. The Act mandated that suppliers could not provide different prices to different buyers, curbing A&P's ability to squeeze independent competitors.
A&P resisted these changes, lobbying against the Act and attempting to argue that their size was not problematic. However, enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gradually diminished A&P's market dominance.
The Shift in Antitrust Philosophy and Its Consequences
In the 1970s and 1980s, Robert Bork's critique of antitrust laws marked a significant shift in American economic policy. His book, "The Antitrust Paradox," argued that antitrust laws should focus solely on consumer welfare, primarily through the lens of price efficiency.
"Antitrust should encourage corporate consolidation because big corporations are more efficient." (24:05)
This perspective led to the erosion of the Robinson-Patman Act’s influence, as newer policies prioritized efficiency over fair competition. As a result, big chains like Walmart emerged, replicating A&P’s strategies on a grander scale.
The Rise of Walmart and the Consolidation of Grocery Chains
With weakened antitrust enforcement, Walmart entered the grocery sector in the late 1980s, adopting aggressive discounting practices that outcompeted smaller grocers. This led to a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the 1990s, further consolidating the grocery market under a few large national chains.
Lina Khan, chair of the FTC under President Biden, elaborates on the impact of this consolidation:
"Big retailers like Walmart start demanding discounts from their suppliers... making it hard for smaller grocers to compete." (29:54)
This consolidation not only reduced competition but also contributed to the proliferation of food deserts. As Walmart and similar chains dominated, smaller stores struggled to survive, leading to reduced accessibility to fresh and affordable groceries in many communities.
Modern Implications and Policy Responses
The episode highlights ongoing efforts to address the resurgence of food deserts. Lina Khan’s tenure at the FTC marks a renewed interest in enforcing antitrust laws to curb the monopolistic power of large retailers.
"The FTC revived the Robinson Patman Act to address unfair price advantages... restoring hope for independent grocers." (36:34)
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Recent political shifts, such as the Trump administration's decision to drop key FTC cases against giants like Pepsi, have undermined these regulatory advancements.
Gene Michon’s organization, New Beginnings, symbolizes grassroots efforts to mitigate the effects of food deserts:
"We've been doing this 39 years. I don't waste anything." (39:55)
Their community kitchen provides essential services to those most affected by inadequate access to groceries, highlighting the human cost of policy failures.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
The episode concludes by emphasizing the need for robust antitrust enforcement to prevent the emergence of new food deserts. Legislative proposals in Rhode Island aim to reintroduce local versions of the Robinson-Patman Act, seeking to restore balance in the grocery market.
Gene Michon remains dedicated to her mission:
"We want to expand to do meals at night as well... reach one population during the day and one population at night." (40:34)
The story of Woonsocket serves as a microcosm of national trends, illustrating how policy decisions can have profound effects on community health and accessibility.
Key Takeaways
- Food Deserts: Areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, often compounded by economic and transportation barriers.
- Historical Impact of A&P: Pioneered methods that led to the decline of small grocers, contributing to the creation of food deserts.
- Robinson-Patman Act: A crucial antitrust law aimed at preventing price discrimination and maintaining market fairness.
- Shift in Antitrust Philosophy: Robert Bork's consumer welfare standard led to weakened enforcement of antitrust laws, facilitating the rise of large retail chains.
- Rise of Walmart: Aggressive pricing and market consolidation exacerbated the prevalence of food deserts.
- Current Efforts: Renewed antitrust enforcement under Lina Khan seeks to address monopolistic practices and restore competition, though challenges remain.
Notable Quotes
- "It's sad that people don't have other choices to make." — Gene Michon (03:29)
- "The Robinson Patman Act makes it illegal for suppliers to provide different prices to different buyers." — Stacy Mitchell (05:51)
- "Antitrust should encourage corporate consolidation because big corporations are more efficient." — Robert Bork (24:05)
- "Big retailers like Walmart start demanding discounts from their suppliers." — Lina Khan (29:54)
- "We've been doing this 39 years. I don't waste anything." — Gene Michon (39:55)
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Ethan Shorey of the Valley Breeze for their contributions. Gene Michon and the New Beginnings organization were instrumental in providing insights into the lived experiences of Woonsocket’s residents.
Listen to the full episode on 99percentinvisible.org.