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Unforeseen Changes In My Community

03.13.16
Unforeseen Changes In My Community
store closing Walmart closed more than 250 stores, including the one in my neighborhood, East Oakland. It’s becoming a headache for me. When you look up my neighborhood using the USDA tool to track food access, it shows you have to travel more than a mile to get to a supermarket. Where I live it’s hard to get access to healthy, affordable food. Since I rely on public transportation to get around, the convenience of a one-stop shop is important to me. Walmart was the one place I could buy all the things I need--groceries, school supplies, and even extras like headphones. I’m not trying to sound like an advertisement for one of the world’s biggest retailers. But it’s depressing knowing that I don’t have easy access to any stores with the basics that I need. In my neighborhood, it’s easier to buy tobacco and alcohol than a pencil. Like much of the bay area, my neighborhood is changing quickly. Rent is getting higher. And a big box store leaving is a big deal.
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