The Food Allergy Research & Education organization commented on May 20 regarding New York City's recently announced plan to open one city-owned grocery store in each of the five boroughs by 2029. According to the organization, there are about 2 million residents in New York state living with food allergies, including approximately 900,000 people in New York City.
This announcement is significant for families managing food allergies, as access to safe and affordable groceries can be a challenge in urban areas. The new city-owned stores could impact how these families shop and find suitable foods.
Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, Chief Executive Officer of FARE, said, "Urban areas can create particular challenges for those living with food allergy. In some neighborhoods, limited grocery options within easy distance leave families relying on convenience stores, where pricing is often significantly higher and safe options may also be limited. Families are often forced to choose between proximity, affordability, and safety—and cannot always get all three. We hope that as New York City pulls together plans for the newly announced government owned grocery stores, city leaders will pay close attention to ensuring there are safe and affordable options for all shoppers in the area, including those managing or caregiving for someone with food allergy."
No additional details were provided about how these new grocery stores will address specific needs related to food allergies or what steps will be taken next.
