Food Deserts

This episode of 99% Invisible explores the rise of food deserts in America, focusing on Woonsocket, Rhode Island, as a case study. It argues that food deserts are not simply a result of poverty, but are linked to antitrust policies and the dominance of large grocery chains like A&P and Walmart. The podcast traces the history of the Robinson-Patman Act, designed to prevent price discrimination and protect small grocers, and its subsequent decline due to the influence of economist Robert Bork and his consumer welfare standard. The story highlights how the lack of enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act led to consolidation in the grocery industry, the demise of local stores, and the creation of food deserts, where residents have limited access to affordable and healthy food. The episode also discusses Lina Khan's efforts to revive antitrust enforcement and address the power of large corporations in the food sector.