In many urban areas, there unfortunately exist entire neighborhoods without any access to fresh produce. These areas are usually only served by fast food establishments and convenience stores. Citing this inequity, WalMart has decided to hold a "farmers" market in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood -- which just happens to be the exact site of where they would like to put their second store in Chicago. According to the article, WalMart will "feature" the produce vendors they use for their stores. I know that even Sysco has started using local vendors as an option for their customers, but I somewhat doubt we will see Nichols Farm rolling into Chatham for this. More likely than not, it will look more like the stacks and stacks of random flats one can see at the Maxwell Street Market on Sundays. I think that may be stretching the definition of "farmers market" a bit far.
While I do support access to fresh produce and think providing that access would be good, would WalMart moving into the neighborhood improve the neighborhood overall? Would it displace local businesses and jobs, whatever they may be, as the men from Bentonville have a tendency to do? I can't really say. I've never been to Chatham, nor will I probably ever be. All I know is it feels weird when Wal-Mart tries to portray themselves as the good guy.
