PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — An Associated Press analysis has found that no large food retailers opened supermarkets from late 2011 to early 2015 in areas of Rhode Island deemed by the federal government to need them the most.
Large chains opened three stores in Rhode Island during that period, but none were in the areas designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as “food deserts” — high-poverty areas without close access to a supermarket.
The largest food desert in Rhode Island is in Woonsocket. Others are scattered throughout the state in communities as varied as Westerly, Warwick, Bristol and South Kingstown.
Communities are tackling the issue on their own. Many farmers markets in the state give bonuses to people who use food stamps. A recent state law ensures citizens the right to grow their own food.
