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.