Reply to Why is there a shortage of grocery stores and fresh food options in Wards 7 and 8?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Redeeming food benefits at farmers markets suggest that demand IS present. Also, the brisk business done by produce markets all over southern Brooklyn (particularly in lower income immigrant communities) tells me that being poor and opting for fresh produce is not at all mutually exclusive.

Interestingly, the produce there costs significantly less than in does in supermarkets here. I am wondering how those businesses can be successful and compete with grocery stores economies of scale, and what lessons can be applied here. [/quote]

The businesses are successful because they deal only with produce (and maybe a few select items such as baked goods and candied fruit). A successful supermarket is one that does well in the meat and fish departments, where they have to be careful with highly perishable inventory. Theft is huge in the meat department, so the supermarket can suffer enormous losses there. Supermarkets also sell health and beauty items, which are easy to steal, especially cosmetics. Other problem areas are cheese and other small dairy products, as well as the candy and individual drink sections. The produce markets cover a much smaller area than a supermarket, too, so it is easier to monitor theft and item destruction.

The produce markets also do well because they sell produce at low prices, which in turn clears out inventory quickly and results in less waste. They focus on doing one thing very well - produce - and turn a good profit from it. [/quote]

It is also very interesting that relatively poor Hispanic/Asian/Caribbean communities don't suffer from 'food desserts'. I lived in one, but there was plenty of ultra cheap produce around. Food desserts are much more nuanced that poor/rich.[/quote]

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