Food insecurity has become a major issue in America, as many communities across the country have little to no access to fresh and/or affordable food, driving at least 20 miles from their home just to get to the nearest supermarket or grocery store.

North Adams, the smallest city in the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a population of just almost 13,000 people, is also one of the more impoverished in the state, with almost one quarter of the population living at or below the poverty line. The city also has two full-fledged supermarkets – a third closed many years ago – but only the second is quite inaccessible to those who rely on public transportation. A shopping center in the city’s downtown has plenty of vacant store space where a supermarket like Save A Lot or Price Rite would do well in a city like North Adams.

Having a supermarket that sells food at affordable prices would help improve food insecurity for a city’s residents and in some small way and lessen dependence on local food banks. The new presidential administration is more than likely to make things worse in that regard.

EDIT: I found out on social media and through research that the parent company of Aldi is anti-union, so I removed any mention of the former. I know the ethos of a place like North Adams having visited many times through the years.