Little Village needs more grocery stores, not more industrial plants

Members of the Little Village Community Council and other residents protest outside Walmart Neighborhood Market in Little Village over the closure of four Walmarts in Chicago in April. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time)

I am writing to express my concern about the food desert situation in Little Village. For as long as I can remember, my neighborhood has been struggling with food insecurity. This is a major problem not only in my community, but also in many Black and Brown communities throughout the Chicagoland area that lack access to fresh, affordable food.

Currently, there are only two major grocery stores that offer fresh food items for a population of approximately 70,000 people in Little Village. There is only one store within a mile, which is not enough for the large number of residents. And due to inflation, the prices of healthful food items have increased. Little Village residents must wait in long lines for a “despensa” at New Life Centers, which is currently working with the Chicago Food Depository.