A new grocery store is now open in Boston

New grocery store in Boston

Boston not only has a new grocery store that opened on Saturday, but it’s also the first of its kind for Bostonians.

Dorchester Food Co-op, located at 195 Bowdoin St. in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, is a community- and worker-owned grocery store that makes healthy food accessible and advances economic opportunity through neighborhood engagement.

"Years of hard work and dedication have gone into bringing this co-op into reality," said John Santos, general manager of Dorchester Food Co-op. "We are glad to offer this new shopping experience by and for the Dorchester community—and the larger Boston-area community—that provides a connection between shoppers and the local food system."

Dorchester Food Co-op is described as a "grocery store for all." / Photo courtesy of Symula Media Group

And it seems that everyone is not only welcome to shop there but can also become member-owners, too.

"Dorchester Food Co-op will be a grocery store for all," the grocer said in a statement. "Non-members are as welcome as members to shop and participate in everything the co-op has to offer. All are welcome to become member-owners, regardless of residence in Dorchester or Boston at all."

The new store will offer produce, pantry staples, household goods and prepared foods, as well as a cafe with a coffee and juice bar and a prepared foods and grab-and-go section. Looking out for its community, a microwave will be available for those who may want to cook items purchased with SNAP, who would otherwise not have access to a hot meal. 

The grand opening featured food and music and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was even on hand to attend the opening. Congratulations!

The Grocery Guard

The National Grocers Association (NGA) on Wednesday announced its newest program, The Grocery Guard, a nationwide network of owners and industry leaders who have volunteered to contact a member of Congress when the independent grocery industry needs to relay the importance of a particular issue impacting the industry.

“The Grocery Guard program will allow us to effectively use the relationships our members have with lawmakers on Capitol Hill,” said Chris Jones, NGA senior vice president of government relations and counsel. “NGA members are leaders in their community and know firsthand how federal policies are impacting their business and the customers they serve. Grocery Guard is poised to streamline our members’ connections and enable us to mobilize them for advocating policies that enhance our industry.”

The Grocery Guard will be activated by the NGA’s government relations team when needed. NGA is looking to continue to grow Grocery Guard until there is an NGA member dedicated to advocating on behalf of every single congressional district in the United States. 

Groceries on the go

Florida Blue Foundation, a philanthropic affiliate for Florida’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, announced this month it is awarding $3.3 million in grants to nine community-based programs across the state to improve access to healthy food in food deserts and other rural communities where Floridians have limited access to affordable, healthy food options. 

One worth mentioning as one of the grant recipients is Treasure Coast Food Bank Inc. in St. Lucie County, which runs Market Fresh on the Move, a mobile grocery store on wheels that serves low-income families living in food deserts and food insecure communities in this part of Florida.

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