[jamespitts]

Rather than focus on the dollar stores, the city should focus on itself and its role in the problem. The structure of the street, zoning, parking requirements, vast distances between living places and stores, etc. are key to the existence of the big box stores.

The structure chosen by the city planners years ago literally makes the big box store feasible to economically exist, and reduces the feasibility of mom and pop stores with healthier options. Besides encouraging terrible food options, this situation has generated numerous other social and health-related problems.

Take a walk in the poorest neighborhood in your region which has small-width streets, walking distance between homes and stores, stores on the sidewalk, and terrible parking options. In that neighborhood, you will find fruits and vegetables being sold by mom and pops, and far less prominence of dollar stores.

[nkoren]

Emigrating from the US to the UK, that was one of the biggest wins for me: ubiquitous small shops, within walking distance, where I can buy fresh vegetables. What a revelation! I've come to see the existence of such shops (and the zoning and population densities necessary to support them) as an absolute minimum requirement for a "liveable" neighborhood.

[bertjk]

Why is it assumed that mom & pop stores will opt to carry healthier options?

[jamespitts]

Perhaps one reason is competitive differentiation. When everyone is carrying the same generic items, price becomes the main factor. Liquor stores generally fight in that space. For neighborhood grocery stores, eye-catching and better quality produce and meats can be a draw for customers.

[crispyambulance]

> you will find fruits and vegetables being sold by mom and pops, and far less prominence of dollar stores.

Yes, it depends on the city and even the particular neighborhood within the city but cornershops still exist, and there are still vendors selling produce from carts/trucks at relatively low cost.

What's missing from the article, however, are indoor markets. These are facilities that contain many vendors who rent out stalls/floor-space. Sort of like a farmer's market but with less yuppies. These types of arrangements have been around for since the 19th century. In Baltimore, they're city-operated. You can get everything from bok-choy to pigs feet. These kinds of markets provide farmers, bakers, or small grocery operators and opportunity to run their business without having the burden of real-estate or a leasing out a building.