City owned grocery stores in the US

 City-owned grocery stores have been tried in the United States, though they are rare and often implemented to address specific community needs, such as food deserts. Here are some notable examples:

• Baldwin, Florida: The city purchased and operated the Baldwin Market in 2019 to ensure access to fresh food in a rural area. The store struggled financially and closed in March 2024 due to debt and operational challenges.
• St. Paul, Kansas: This small town operates a municipality-owned grocery store, St. Paul Supermarket, to serve residents after private owners retired. It’s an example of a community stepping in to maintain access to groceries in a rural area.
• Madison, Wisconsin: The city plans to open its first city-owned grocery store, Maurer’s Urban Market, in Fall 2025. Located in a food desert on Madison’s South Side, the store aims to provide affordable, healthy food options.
• Chicago, Illinois: Chicago has explored the concept of city-owned grocery stores to address food deserts, particularly after major retailers like Walmart and Whole Foods closed locations in underserved areas. While no full-scale city-owned supermarket has been established yet, the city has opted to develop multiple city-run markets as an alternative.
• Albany, New York: A government-supported grocery store was attempted in a food desert but closed within two years due to debt and mismanagement, highlighting the challenges of sustaining such initiatives.

These examples show that city-owned grocery stores have been attempted, often in response to limited access to fresh food in underserved areas. However, they face significant challenges, including financial sustainability and operational efficiency, as seen in cases like Baldwin and Albany.