Is Chatham Really a "Food Desert"?

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jul 31, 2009 4:40PM

Part of the argument in favor of bringing a second Wal-Mart into Chicago, at 83rd and Stewart in Chatham, is that the neighborhood is a "food desert". This argument has been bandied about a lot lately, most recently by a certain Sun-Times columnist. But if you've spent any time around Chatham, you'll know that it isn't the desperately poor black neighborhood that much of the South side is characterized as. In fact, as Rich Miller over at Capitol Fax and this Google map show, there are quite a few food stores near the proposed location.

While not all of the locations listed are probably the best locations for fresh food and wide selection, the presence of a Jewel-Osco (A) just blocks from the proposed Wal-Mart location (B) makes one wonder about the veracity of the claims that Wal-Mart will bring desperately needed food and jobs to the community.