Grocery store closures reignite debate over taxpayer-funded food access

(The Center Square) – The closure of seven Save A Lot grocery stores on Chicago’s South and West sides has renewed debate over whether government subsidies can effectively address food access in underserved neighborhoods, with one free-market policy expert arguing the shutdowns highlight the limits of public intervention.

The stores, operated by Yellow Banana, closed after Save A Lot ended its operating agreement with the company, citing financial challenges that included a sharp decline in SNAP purchases.

Chicago had invested $13.5 million to renovate six of the seven locations as part of an effort to expand grocery access in neighborhoods often described as food deserts.

Nicole Huyer, a researcher with the Heritage Foundation, said the closures were “the predictable outcome of bad policy.”

“Dumping millions upon millions of dollars into these stores without addressing the root causes of grocery unaffordability, like city regulations, high taxes, even crime, wit...