Local Governments Are Cracking Down on Dollar Stores to Reduce Food Deserts

The Dollar Tree and Dollar General take on “produce” is never fresh, always frozen—and cities across the U.S. are concerned.

Oklahoma City is poised to pass a measure this week requiring retailers in low-income zip codes to provide at least 500 sq. ft. of fresh produce in stores, the WSJ reports. It’s one of several local governments regulating dollar stores to mitigate food deserts, or low-income neighborhoods with limited access to grocers selling fresh foods.

• Tulsa, OK, doesn’t allow two dollar stores to open within a mile of each other.
• Fort Worth and Mesquite, TX, and New Orleans have enacted similar measures.

Dollar store chains think it’s misguided. A spokesman for Dollar Tree and Family Dollar told the WSJ they are “alleviating” food deserts by offering items like eggs and bread. A Dollar General rep said it wasn’t trying to be a grocery store in the first place.

What do solutions look like? Some food desert towns are opening community-run markets to sell produce, the NYT reports. Others are loosening restrictions on larger retailers to entice grocery stores to set up shop.