
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1995                   TAG: 9505170066
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

`GROCERY GAP' MAKING POOR PAY MORE

Many low-income Americans pay more for groceries and have fewer choices among healthful foods because large supermarkets have fled their inner-city neighborhoods, according to a study released Tuesday.

Researchers with the University of Connecticut and Public Voice for Food and Health Policy, a liberal Washington advocacy group, used federal demographic information and a census of supermarkets in 21 of the country's largest metropolitan areas to document a ``grocery store gap.''

According to Public Voice, the flight of supermarkets from the inner city has forced many poor families to shop at small groceries and convenience stores where they pay higher prices for a less nutritious food selection.

This increases family food bills, contributes to malnourishment and reduces the purchasing power of federal food assistance dollars, Public Voice said.

- Associated Press

by CNB