Latest news with #grocerystore
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Barber prepares for end of an era as Ottawa's oldest mall shuts down
The Carling Avenue mall — Ottawa's oldest — is closing in the fall and will be demolished to make way for a residential development and a grocery store. For tenants who've worked there for decades, the changes are bittersweet.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Absolute Best Yogurts You Can Buy at the Grocery Store, According to Registered Dietitians
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. The Absolute Best Yogurts You Can Buy at the Grocery Store, According to Registered Dietitians originally appeared on Parade. Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Is it just us, or has the yogurt display case at the grocery store become a very overwhelming place lately? With what seems like more and more flavors, types of yogurt and plant-based options crowding the shelves these days, knowing which brands to buy can be somewhat tricky terrain—especially when you're trying to go the healthy those labels touting words like organic, probiotic, cultured and "real fruit" can be enough to ditch the dairy aisle altogether, but have no fear: we've enlisted the help of a few registered dietitians to break it all down for us in terms of the best yogurts to buy at the grocery aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a What's the Healthiest Type of Yogurt? When it comes to the healthiest yogurts to stock up on, the ingredient list should be pretty simple, explains Nashville, TN-based dietitian . "Just milk and active cultures. Some brands may add vitamins, too, but you should look for yogurts with at least 6 grams of protein per serving." If you like your yogurt on the sweeter side, LeBlanc suggests looking for options with less than 7 grams of added sugar, but watch out for yogurts that have sugar at the top! Instead, she says to reach for the ones naturally sweetened with stevia or monk that in mind, here are the top five yogurts our panel of registered dietitians always have in their shopping Best Yogurts You Can Buy at the Grocery Store 1. FAGE Total 0% Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt, $7.19 for 32 oz. at Target According to , a registered dietitian nutritionist at the National Coalition on Healthcare, the healthiest dairy option would be organic, nonfat, sugar-free yogurt, but you can't always find these choices available in mass-market grocery stores. If you run into that issue when shopping for better-for-you yogurt, she suggests going with a health-conscious dairy yogurt like FAGE Total 0% Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt, which is more widely available. "This yogurt is high in protein and void of fat and sugar," she explains, pointing out that it has no GMOs, rBGHs (growth hormones), artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives—a total win in our book. 2. Siggi's Sweetened Plain Plant-Based Coconut Blend, $7.09 for 24 oz. at Whole Foods As for a non-dairy option for vegans or anyone who is lactose intolerant, Costa is a big fan of Siggi's Sweetened Plain Plant-Based Coconut Blend. "This is another excellent grocery store find that contains a mere 4 grams of added sugar, ensuring it won't overload your daily sugar intake," she says. She's also partial to the straightforward ingredient list that features recognizable items devoid of artificial additives. "Due to its high protein content (from pea protein and macadamia nut butter), simple ingredients and widespread availability, it's a solid choice among coconut, soy, almond or oat-based options." 3. Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt, $5.99 for 32 oz. at Target "For health and overall versatility, Chobani Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt is one of my favorites!" shares LeBlanc. "They have non-fat, low-fat and whole milk options available, it's made with simple ingredients, has 15-16 grams of protein per serving and contains live and active cultures for a probiotic boost." She also loves that they triple strain their yogurt to be thick and creamy, making it the perfect addition to smoothies, dips, dressings or enjoyed with 4. Oikos Triple Zero High-Protein Nonfat Greek Yogurt, $5.49 for 32 oz. at Target If you like a sweeter yogurt, LeBlanc says Oikos Triple Zero is another healthy way to go for lots of bone-building vitamin D in each delicious spoonful. "Each serving has 15 grams of protein, no added sugar and no fat," she shares, and even though it's sweetened with stevia, she admits it doesn't have the bitter aftertaste that many others do. We also love that you can get 30% of your recommended daily protein intake (per serving), and they have tons of tasty flavors to choose from. 5. Stonyfield Organic 0% Free Plain Greek Yogurt, $7.89 for 32 oz. at Target , and the lead registered dietitian atTop Nutrition Coaching, also leans towards higher-protein Greek styles when shopping for yogurt. "Greek yogurt can be a great addition to a healthy and balanced diet, providing a great source of probiotics for a healthy gut," she explains. While some brands have flavored yogurts with 10+ grams of added sugar per serving, Stonyfield's organic Greek option has 0 grams of added sugar, 16 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat per serving and contains only cultured pasteurized organic nonfat milk and live active cultures. Unhealthy Yogurts To Avoid We've already shined the spotlight on a few RD-approved yogurts we love, but if you're concerned about where your go-to carton lies on the healthy index scale, Hill advises checking its label for unwanted calories, extra fat, added sugars and artificial flavors. "Cane sugar, sugar and fruit juice concentrate will be common ingredients in yogurts that contain added sugars, just like sucralose and acesulfame potassium are artificial sweeteners used in some yogurt brands," she says. And sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but those fruit-on-the-bottom yogurts? Those are a no-go, according to Costa, along with two-part, flippable yogurt containers that have mix-ins in a separate compartment. "Many big-brand 'lite' yogurts also contain artificial sweeteners, which have been linked to adverse health effects," she adds. "For example, Yoplait Greek 100's inclusion of artificial components like acesulfame potassium and sucralose raises health concerns, making it a less-than-ideal option despite its high protein content."Related: Can You Eat Yogurt Every Day? While Costa notes that some people can enjoy yogurt daily without adverse health implications, others, especially those with lactose intolerance, may experience discomfort. "Symptoms such as bloating, gas and diarrhea could indicate an unhappy gut reaction to yogurt; therefore, it's crucial to pay close attention to how your body responds after consuming it and adjust your intake accordingly, or switch to a plant-based option," she says. What Are Some Healthy Ways To Enjoy Yogurt? Aside from popping the lid on a cup and digging straight in with a spoon, LeBlanc says another healthy way to incorporate yogurt into your morning routine is by adding it to your overnight oats for a creamy and nutritious quick and healthy snacks, she also suggests blending yogurt into refreshing smoothies or using it in a dip like tzatziki. "Get creative in the kitchen by making yogurt-based salad dressings, swapping it for sour cream in your tacos or whipping up a better-for-you "cookie dough" dip with peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips and vanilla—the options are endless!"Costa reaches for yogurt to make a nutritious and satiating breakfast or snack when paired with unsweetened Swiss muesli and a handful of fresh berries. "If you prefer a flavorful yogurt without the added sugars, consider enhancing the flavor with vanilla bean powder or cinnamon," she advises. For savory dinner recipes, she also recommends swapping high-fat ingredients such as cream or mayonnaise for a healthier, protein-rich yogurt substitute. Benefits of Eating Yogurt Assuming that you pick a healthy variety, there are many benefits of eating yogurt. Here are some of the most important ones to consider: Many yogurts are rich in vital nutrients, like calcium, B vitamins, magnesium and vitamin D. It's a good source of protein. It can help improve your digestive health and immune system. Finally, some varieties (especially those with higher levels of protein) can help with weight management. Up Next:Sources Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist at the National Coalition on Healthcare (NCHC). Chelsea LeBlanc, RDN, LD, is a Nashville, TN-based dietitian and owner of Chelsea LeBlanc Nutrition. Jordan Hill, MCD, RD, CSSD, is the lead registered dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching. Healthline. "6 Impressive Health Benefits of Yogurt." The Absolute Best Yogurts You Can Buy at the Grocery Store, According to Registered Dietitians first appeared on Parade on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
19 Popular Grocery Store Brand Ice Creams, Ranked
Everyone has a local ice cream place they live for. When I lived in Salem, Massachusetts, the ice cream shop Dairy Witch was my go-to. Now that I'm in Portland, Maine, so far, it's the shop Gelato Fiasco, but I need some more time to assess. However, going out for ice cream can be expensive, and it can be a drag to wait in long lines during those hot summer nights. For the days you just don't want to leave the house, and you want to save a few bucks, grocery store brand ice cream is a game-changer. I'm here to find out which brand is the best of the best. I looked at an array of grocery stores to see which brands offer an extensive line-up. I also tried an array of flavors to see if these were just one-and-dones, or if their full lines held up to the test. Let's see which stores offer the best selection of ice cream and which brands have the best-tasting options. Read more: The 15 Best Milk Brands, Ranked 19. Ube From Trader Joe's Apparently, Ube Ice Cream from Trader Joe's is a fan favorite. The folks working the checkout line sold me on it, too. The person ringing stated in a blind taste test, I'll get notes of vanilla with something a little off from the norm. I am here to tell you that was the biggest lie ever told. Ube from Trader Joe's is a purple yam-flavored ice cream. I don't know what I was expecting, but this was not for me. The only flavor I got was synthetic coconut. There were no other flavors to be found. I also hated the texture. It wasn't creamy, it was gritty, and besides the fun purple color, there were no positives. If I'm being super honest, I spit my one bite out. No thanks, TJs. The rest of your ice cream lineup is far better. 18. Specially Selected Chocolate From Aldi Aldi offers some of the best snacks out there -- from sweet to savory. In the Aldi cult of shoppers, there is a consensus about their ice cream. Apparently, nothing can beat the Specialty Selected Chocolate Super Premium Ice Cream. I have never disagreed more with Reddit in my entire life. Out of all the ice creams, this was the most disappointing. Blame it on expectation, but I couldn't find one reason why people adore this. When I opened the package, it was frozen in a way that suggested something was off. It didn't have creamy vibes; it was shiny. Regarding taste, it didn't exactly taste like chocolate. I'm not sure what to call it, but it wasn't rich or milky. And the texture wasn't much better. Overall, this one is a no. Find another chocolate ice cream option. 17. Great Value Cookies & Cream From Walmart The statement "looks can be deceiving" has never been truer than when it comes to Great Value's Cookies & Cream from Walmart. From afar, this ice cream looks like the perfect cookies and cream blend, with chunks of cookie and smaller pieces scattered throughout a creamy base. After one bite, I only had one question: What is wrong with this ice cream? Cookies and cream never tasted so bad. The only word I can find is artificial. There was some cookie flavoring in the larger pieces, but those pieces were soggy and stale. Even the vanilla and cream base tasted artificial. Don't come here looking for vanilla bean vibes. Walmart has ruined my day a few times with taste testing; this might be one of the worst. I don't care how badly you want ice cream. Do not buy this flavor. 16. Sundae Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough From Aldi Up next is Sundae Shop's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. This is one of Aldi's brands that is supposed to be a killer ice cream option. However, this was another dud. I started to question my sanity at this point during the taste test. Stay with me on this one: it tastes like raisins. I don't know why or how, but I got straight Raisin Bran vibes. Breaking down the components, my favorite part of cookie dough ice cream is, of course, the cookie dough. Sadly, it was a failure. It didn't taste like a cookie, and the texture was too soft. The only part of the bite worth anything was the rich and sweet chocolate chips. Yes, this one was creamy, but the taste was just off. 15. Favorite Day Cookies 'N Cream From Target Next in line is Target's Favorite Day brand with another cookies and cream option. Overall, this was fine -- way better than the rest thus far. However, that doesn't mean it was a winner. This option featured big chunks of cookie with smaller pieces scattered throughout. During my first bite, I had hope, but the rich flavor quickly started to fade. This one doesn't have dairy depth at all. On top of the flavor issue, the cookies were a little soggy, but they were tasty. You can taste the chocolate, which pushed them well above the others on this list. My final verdict: Favorite Day's Cookies 'n Cream is fine. There is nothing notable, but it's a decent scoop of ice cream. 14. Overloaded Peanut Butter Fudge Explosion From Hannaford If you live in New England, you've probably been to a Hannaford. While you may not know this particular brand, they are a Maine-based store that carries lines like Nature's Promise. While they are lesser-known, they have some cool ice cream options. I chose to taste Overloaded Peanut Butter Fudge Explosion. I was so excited for this one, but it was such a disappointment. First, I didn't love the peanut butter flavor. It wasn't' super sweet, and I didn't love the texture. It was crunchy and hard in most places. There was a nice blend of ingredients with the chocolate and a creamy ice cream base, but again, it's nothing special. It's just vanilla. Honesty, this one was fine; I just had higher expectations. 13. Favorite Day Caramel Brownie Moose Tracks From Target Target is back in the lineup with its Favorite Day brand. This time, I tried Caramel Brownie Moose Tracks. There is a lot going on here -- too much to be honest. This one featured caramel ice cream with brownie bites, caramel, and moose tracks fudge. I think the ice cream was the breaking point in the bite. With caramel as the base and swirled into the mix, it was an overload. Add peanut butter and fudge, and the battle of the flavors began. What I will say is that I didn't hate this. The ingredients did taste good, but I wouldn't reach for this flavor again. With too many flavors fighting to be the star, I'll reach for something else. 12. 364 Brownie Batter From Whole Foods If you've ever shopped at Whole Foods, you probably know the 365 brand well. While I've taste-tested a lot of the store's items -- everything from frozen ravioli to frozen waffles -- I'd never had the brand's ice cream. I grabbed a few off the freezer shelves, but I was most excited to try 365's Brownie Batter. While this one has a chocolate base, it was boring and a little off-putting. The ice cream itself wasn't super rich and chocolatey, and the brownie batter swirl had mere hints of that brownie flavor you know and love. The only richness I found was in a few bites of the swirls. I think this one had some notable moments, but when I want to sate my ice cream hunger, I was each bite to be the best. This one wasn't bad, but it didn't make the cut. 11. Sundae Shoppe Cookies & Cream From Aldi Aldi is back in the lineup with its Sundae Shoppe's Cookies & Cream. I finally have some good things to say. Who knew there was so much nasty ice cream out there? This one tasted great. I loved the cookie flavor, as it had that real Oreo vibe. The vanilla base was good, but it wasn't super creamy. It did scoop well, and we decided this would be the perfect ice cream for milkshakes and frappes. Without that cookie crunch and more depth in the flavor profile, this one sits in 11th place. 10. 365 Raspberry Chocolate Chip From Whole Foods I grew up eating black raspberry ice cream. It was the only flavor I would eat for the longest time. I'm not sure where or when the swap happened, but I moved away from fruit to the mint chocolate chips of the world, leaving behind a childhood favorite. This was the first time I had tried anything related to my youthful choice, and I was pretty surprised at my response. While I liked this one, it was bland and boring compared to the remainder of this list. It has the vibes of the black raspberry, but it was a watered- down version. The chocolate chips were great, but overall, there was a weird aftertaste that I couldn't quite place. It wasn't raspberry or chocolate. The verdict: Ice cream is fine. Weird aftertaste. Better options out there. 9. Great Value Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough From Walmart While I slammed Great Value's Cookies & Cream option, the brand fared far better with Great Value's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I am going to say a lot of things about this one, but stay with me -- I have my reasons for placing it here. I feel like this is one of those "dairy treats" versus ice cream situations, as the vanilla base was a little artificial over a true dairy texture and flavor. However, there was something here that just worked. While the cookie dough pieces were a little small, the chocolate chunks added a lot of flavor. While not super natural, there was a happy combo happening in this container. While I am giving Great Value's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough the 9th spot, don't get it twisted -- this isn't an award-winning ice cream. It's fine in a pinch, but I'd forgo it anyway. 8. Signature Select Moose Tracks From Shaw's While researching for this project, I learned that a lot of people enjoy Moose Tracks ice cream. Spoiler alert: I'd never had it before, and honestly, I don't quite get the hype. Be that as it may, Signature Selects version placed 8th in this massive ranking. This one featured Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter cups and a chocolate swirl. The vanilla ice cream base was fine -- nothing special, but there weren't a lot of toppings to enjoy. I hate when the ratio of toppings to ice cream is off, but the toppings as such were really good -- especially the peanut butter cups. The peanut butter cups saved this option, making each bite with a cup worth it. However, with a limited amount of toppings and mediocre ice cream, this one stays away from the top five. 7. Great Value Fudge Tracks From Walmart Walmart is up next with a Moose Tracks knockoff called Fudge Tracks. While I wanted to make a joke, the joke was on me. This one was better than expected. The Great Value chocolate flavor is reminiscent of Hoodsie Cup ice cream or even Häagen-Dazs ice cream, making the base of this option stand out above the rest. I liked that the ice cream was light, but it still had a rich chocolate flavor. There was also a generous amount of fudge ribbons and peanut butter cups, which really made every bite count and pushing this one closer to the one-spot. I will always give credit where credit is due -- this is a decent ice cream option. It definitely wasn't my favorite, but this one won't steer you wrong if you are a chocolate lover. 6. Speculoos Cookie Butter From Trader Joe's Starting at the sixth place spot, this competition gets interesting. While there were some notable moments, these six ice creams truly elevate the game. First on this upper echelon of ice creams is Trader Joe's Cookie Butter. I'd heard about this one through the grapevine for a while now, but never had the chance to try it. This one features Midwest cream, pieces of Speculoos cookies, and the iconic Cookie Butter -- I knew it was going to be a hit. Overall, this one was great, but I think it was a little hyped. You get a lot of graham cracker and gingerbread notes from the cookie pieces, but the ice cream wasn't creamy enough for me. To be clear: This was great, but it just isn't really my thing. However, this is one of those ice creams you have to try once. 5. Signature Select Salted Caramel From Shaw's I am not a huge fan of caramel in ice cream. However, I have to give credit where credit is due, and in this case, it's Signature Select's Salted Caramel. I can't believe how much I liked this one! I would never buy this on my own, but the online reviews said this one was the best. What I enjoyed the most were the balanced bites of sweet and salt. The ice cream was creamy, it tasted great, and there was just the right amount of caramel pieces. So why is it in fifth place? This was a good ice cream, but it's a one-trick pony with not a lot to offer. It's a little boring compared to the rest of the top five. The other reason? It's not a flavor I crave. Sorry, caramel. 4. Fudgy Cookie Dough From Trader Joe's What I learned from this taste test is that Trader Joe's seems to know their stuff when it comes to ice cream, and that's saying a lot about a grocery store brand that makes an array of products. Coming in fourth is Fudgy Cookie Dough. This one features vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough, a fudgy swirl with sea salt, and chocolate chips. Colored me impressed -- this lineup of ingredients sounded like perfection. After one bite, I can tell you it's pretty close. My favorite part about this ice cream is the cookie dough pieces. They taste like real cookie dough batter, offering thick pieces that taste great. I loved the balance of chocolate, too, mixed into the rich ice cream. The tiny notes of salt really cut the sweetness and offer up an experience like no other on this list. 3. Horchata From Trader Joe's My top three were filled with tough decisions. I really struggled to place these last few, as they each had their own strengths and merits. With that said, Trader Joe's is on the list again, coming in third with Horchata. I do not like a lot of cinnamon on anything, except maybe a donut, which made this placement such a surprise. The texture was one of the best in the bunch. It was super creamy, and the cinnamon mixed throughout wasn't overpowering at all. The cookie pieces were a nice addition, adding another textural component that didn't try to steal the show. Every aspect of this ice cream worked together to form a great bite. Nice work, Trader Joe's. I still don't love cinnamon, but this is a great ice cream option! 2. Kirkland Signature Vanilla From Costco I'm going to be honest -- I'm still not sure I picked the right number one because this was the closest call I've ever made in food tasting. I'd heard a lot of things about Kirkland Vanilla Ice Cream, but I always said to myself -- how good can vanilla ice cream be? Really. Freaking. Good. Kirkland's Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream truly lives up to the hype. It leans French Vanilla, and I am so here for it. It's the creamiest of the bunch, offering a rich, thick, and velvety texture. The milk component is heavy and gets better with every bite. I cannot believe I almost put a vanilla ice cream in first place, but this is what ice cream dreams are made of. I know you have to buy a gallon of this stuff at Costco, but man, it's worth it! 1. Favorite Day's Strawberry Angel Food Cake From Target I had heard the lore and legend behind Favorite Day's Strawberry Angel Food Cake, but I thought it had no shot on this list. I always look to the chocolates and peanut butters to fulfill my ice cream needs. One bite of this ice cream, and your life will be changed. This summer special features vanilla ice cream with cake pieces and strawberry swirl. I thought there was no way cake in ice cream could work sitting in a freezer, but man, was I wrong. The cake tastes real, it's soft, and the strawberry swirl is the perfect complement to the creamy vanilla ice cream. It's light and refreshing, and it has a lower calorie count than most! If you take nothing else away from this taste test, it's that you have to try this one. I'm unsure if this flavor will be around for a while, so get to stores and enjoy before it's too late. How I Ranked All The Ice Creams And Final Thoughts Like all of my other taste tests, I learned some shocking things about ice cream and myself. Who knew ice cream could taste so bad and so good? I have to hand it to Trader Joe's, as they really stood out in this lineup. For this taste test, I sought out any grocery store brands I could find in my area, looking for those that offered a larger lineup outside of the typical vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. I scoured online reviews to see which flavors were a must-try, too, helping to guide my purchases. I looked at texture, quality, toppings, and taste to determine which ice cream brands made the cut and which were busts. Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on The Daily Meal. Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
In hearing, developer told to rework plans to downsize D.C. grocery store
D.C.'s Zoning Commission ended a Thursday night hearing by assigning developer Jair Lynch homework: By early next week, the developer needs to rethink its request to downsize a grocery store it plans to build in a new Northwest Washington neighborhood. That leaves the next step of the long-delayed Reservoir District development in limbo until at least July 31, when the commission may rehear Jair Lynch's case. If that fails, the developer may have to wait until September — when the commission returns from recess — for an answer.
Washington Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Kansas City poured millions into a grocery store. It still may close.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was the lone tomato in the produce bin that nearly made Marquita Taylor weep. She'd stopped in her neighborhood grocery store, the place that was cause for celebration when it opened seven years ago. Area residents had long lived without a decent supermarket on Kansas City's east side, and KC Sun Fresh was the city's attempt to alleviate a lack of access to healthy food in its urban center. But the store, in a city-owned strip mall, is on the verge of closure. Customers say they are increasingly afraid to shop there — even with visible police patrols — because of drug dealing, theft and vagrancy both inside and outside the store and the public library across the street. KC Sun Fresh lost $885,000 last year and now has only about 4,000 shoppers a week. That's down from 14,000 a few years ago, according to Emmet Pierson Jr., who leads Community Builders of Kansas City, the nonprofit that leases the site from the city. Despite a recent $750,000 cash infusion from the city, the shelves are almost bare. 'We're in a dire situation,' Pierson said. As grocery prices continue to climb and 7 million Americans face losing federal food assistance, more cities and states across the country — in Illinois, Georgia and Wisconsin — are experimenting with the concept of publicly supported grocery stores as a way to help provide for low-income neighborhoods. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, has attracted attention for his campaign pledge to combat 'out-of-control' prices by establishing five city-owned supermarkets that he says will pass savings onto customers by operating 'without a profit motive.' Yet these experiments, like the one in Kansas City, often don't account for social issues that can make success even more challenging. Critics say the efforts are unrealistic regardless because grocery stores have such slim profit margins and struggle to compete with the prices offered by big-box chains like Walmart. High-profile projects have failed in recent months in Florida and Massachusetts. 'Running a grocery store is a difficult business,' said Doug Rauch, a former Trader Joe's president who founded a chain of low-cost stores in the Boston area that shuttered in May. 'You can have religion about the mission, but if you don't have vast experience and knowledge about how to run these operations, you're really going to be in trouble.' Taylor, 68, has supported the KC Sun Fresh since it opened just blocks from her home. But that solitary tomato was almost too much to bear. 'This is pathetic,' she said, shaking her head as she pushed her cart down an aisle. 'Every neighborhood deserves a good grocery store. This is the nearest store for six neighborhoods, and this is what we've got.' Nearly a decade ago, Kansas City spent $17 million to buy and fix up the moribund Linwood Shopping Center on busy Prospect Avenue. KC Sun Fresh opened in 2018 with a salad bar, fresh shrimp on ice and flower bouquets. 'We were thrilled,' Taylor recalled. The store was first run by a private grocer; Pierson's nonprofit took over in 2022. Sales were okay at first, but after the pandemic, crime rose and sales began to plummet. Police data show assaults, robberies and shoplifting in the immediate vicinity have been on an upward trend since 2020. Shoplifting cases have nearly tripled. At a community meeting last year, Pierson played videos of security incidents so graphic he gave a warning in advance — a naked woman parading through the store throwing bags of chips to the ground, another person urinating in the vestibule and a couple fornicating on the lawn of the library in broad daylight. Advocates like Taylor have accused the city of neglecting the property. Discussions about fixing a fence behind the store dragged on for months until it was repaired in early July, and the city just remedied the sewer stench that Taylor and others say has pervaded the store for weeks. 'Obviously, they don't feel like this is their responsibility. … Or they don't care,' she said. In May, after the city was slow to turn over the $750,000 in promised assistance to the store, residents from the racially mixed neighborhood stormed a council meeting waving signs that read, 'I need access to fresh food!' and 'Cut the check!' Gwendolyn Grant, president and chief executive of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, called on Mayor Quinton Lucas to 'stop lying,' and 'get the job done.' Lucas, a Democrat in his second term, said in an interview that despite KC Sun Fresh's financial issues, 'I still have confidence in the long-term future of a grocery facility in that area.' He sees two challenges: The first will be saving the current store. 'Changing consumer behavior will be another,' he said. The issues defy quick solutions. The police department's East Side patrol division is just four blocks away, though police Maj. Chris Young said that even an 'overwhelming presence' of officers in recent months didn't significantly decrease incidents. Young, the patrol division's commander, links the rise in crime to fallout from the pandemic, rising inflation and a shortage of police officers following racial injustice protests in 2020. Part of the problem is the city's lack of a jail, Young said. The left-leaning council closed the previous facility in 2009 as a cost-saving measure — a move the Kansas City Star has called a '$250 million mistake' — people arrested for minor crimes are quickly released instead of being held in rural counties miles away. That allows them to hop on the local bus system — free since the pandemic — and head back to the same location, Young said. 'We typically have the same group of offenders every week that are recognizable by face and by name, just loitering and hanging out,' he said. 'A small percentage of people are ruining it for the rest of the community that deserves to go to their grocery store and their library.' The city is making plans for a new jail, though construction could take years. A number of cities and states have tried to address food inequity over the years. Since 2019, the Healthy Food Financing Initiative at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has spent $25 million to fund 162 food retail and food retail supply chain projects around the country, with mixed results, analysts say. The agency did not provide data on which projects have worked and which haven't. Illinois has given out $16.5 million for new grocery stores since 2023. Chicago officials had a plan for a city-owned grocery store but dropped it, despite a study concluding the idea was both feasible and necessary, in favor of a plan for a public market with food stalls. In Boston, Rauch founded a chain of five low-cost grocery stores called Daily Table, which sold only healthy food and avoided sugary snacks. The stores made about 75 percent of their budget from sales and covered the rest with private and public grants. After a dozen years, they were anticipating a banner 2025, Rauch recounted. Then the Trump administration slashed federal programs that aided nutrition assistance. Both the stores and their philanthropic partners were hit hard. 'We ran out of money,' he said. 'The current freezing of funds at the USDA had a very chilling effect.' Exploring 'public options' for groceries remains a popular idea because of high prices and fears of more dramatic cuts in food assistance, said Margaret Mullins, director of public options and governance at the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, which recently released a guide to public grocery stores. 'Making sure people have access to fresh food is really, really important,' Mullins said. 'So even though it's tough, people keep turning to this public support idea because what else can they do?' Patrick Tuohey, co-founder and policy director of the Better Cities Project, has been critical of the Sun Fresh project. He says the store looks 'great on paper' but does not have demand to support it. Plus, he noted, the neighborhood has other options because of a nearby Aldi store and the independent Happy Foods Center. Data bears out both points. A USDA analysis showed the area around the store is low income but not low access. And a Washington Post analysis of the adjacent Zip codes show the area has steadily lost population since 2020. The council member who represents the area, Melissa Patterson Hazley, estimates there are more than 200 vacant lots in her district. When residents and advocates gathered for an update during a breakfast meeting in late June, a minister spoke of 'fractured streets' and urged everyone to mobilize and 'reclaim the neighborhood.' Pierson had bad news, however. He told the group that KC Sun Fresh was again in the red after he used the $750,000 in city aid to pay off outstanding invoices and restock the shelves. So far, according to Patterson Hazley, the city's finance director said it has spent about $29 million on the shopping center project. 'Everyone says, 'Why aren't we doing X, Y and Z at the store?'' said Pierson, who has spearheaded other urban revival projects, including another grocery store and a pickleball complex. 'Well, we covered the expenses and went negative-$39,000, and we're back in the same situation.' And there was more, Pierson continued. The store's insurance company had dropped it, and the premiums with a new insurer were 45 percent higher. The audience gasped. Later that morning, customers trickled into the store, past two armed security guards just inside the entrance even as two police officers monitored the scene outside. Small groups of people hanging out across the street seemed unbothered by the uniforms or the heat. Taylor, who had come in for tomatoes, left the lonely one in the bin for someone else and moved on to ingredients for nachos — a Friday night treat for her and her husband. The chip aisle was bare, shelf after shelf empty. She finally found a few bags of tortilla chips nearby. Taylor grew up in the area, and she and her husband raised their two daughters here. The nonprofit consultant remembers the long stretch of time when the strip mall's first grocery store was vacant and she had to travel several miles to go shopping. After the city bought the property and KC Sun Fresh opened, she tried to do everything she could to promote the store, she said. The local neighborhood association, which she leads, launched a campaign called 'Save Our Store' and asked people to sign pledges to shop there monthly. She said it also handed out $10 gift cards. Now, she explained, 'I can't even convince my neighbors to come and shop here anymore. They all say, 'Well, there's nothing there.'' Hardly any fruit. Hardly any chips. No bread other than hamburger buns. 'It's just such a struggle. We need our grocery store.' John Harden contributed to this report.
