The importance of the supermarket

Local news: Stop and Shop acquires lease for the ex-Johnny’s Foodmaster in West Somerville. However, beyond that, there is no news about whether a grocery store will be developed on that site.

Having a supermarket at each end of town is an important quality of life feature for the City of Somerville. It is not simply a matter of convenience. Access to fresh fruits and vegetables and perishable proteins is important for the health and well-being of our residents. 

A large number of people depended on the supermarket that used to be at the corner of Broadway and Alewife Brook Parkway. It was walking distance to both Clarendon Hill Towers and the Clarendon Hill Public Housing Development (commonly called North Street.) There are many car-free residents of West Somerville who were using that supermarket. Having the ability to buy groceries without needing to drive there is an economic plus, for people who don’t have a car. The alternative for many is the Shaw’s at Porter Square, which is on the Red Line and bus lines. I’ve noticed more volume at the Shaw’s Market in Porter Square since the Johnny’s in West Somerville closed. 

There is a lot more disruption caused by the loss of that store than many people realize. When a community loses a supermarket, the alternative for groceries can be limited to convenience stores. These types of businesses sell more packaged and processed foods and very few, if any, fruits and vegetables. Although West Somerville does not qualify as a food desert -- because there are supermarkets within a bus ride of most residents and not many fast-food outlets nearby -- the absence of this supermarket in West Somerville will weigh heavy on the health of car-free residents there, literally.

Why can’t they just take a bus? First, consider the schedules. When grocery shopping, what happens if you miss the bus at night? Generally, you will be waiting a half hour or more for the next one. What about cabs? Consider the expense of asking them to wait. Consider the wait for not asking them to wait. Transportation, in the form or buses or cabs can add an hour to every grocery shopping trip. Additionally, of those receiving services from the Community Action Agency of Somerville, 13 percent are disabled and 4 percent are elderly. They may be able to use public transportation, but frequently use alternative services. Most of those services focus on timely arrival to appointments. There is notoriously a long wait for the ride to get home. 

People who can afford a car-share, like Zip Cars will likely use that alternative. However, some people without cars are car-free for economic reasons. They can’t afford a car. They can’t afford Zip Cars. A plurality of those getting services for anti-poverty support through CAAS  in Somerville -- 35 percent – is working. Working poor juggle low-wage jobs (and frequently a lot of work hours) with family obligations. The additional hour of travel time for groceries will tempt them to shortcuts, and poor nutrition. 

It is not so simple to feed oneself and one’s family when transportation time is suddenly increased. Although it does not affect me, personally, it affects the community I live in. I think that the loss of a supermarket in West Somerville is a bad thing for our community.