The Impact of Supermarket Consolidation on Food Access in Rockwood, Oregon

The Impact of Supermarket Consolidation on Rockwood, Oregon

In a Portland courthouse, a significant legal battle is unfolding as the federal government takes a stand against what could become the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history. Just a dozen miles away, in the neighborhood of Rockwood, the implications of this case are starkly illustrated.

Twenty-five years ago, Rockwood boasted three supermarkets serving its community. Today, only one, an Albertsons, remains operational. With a population of approximately 40,000 residents and one of the highest poverty rates in the region, Rockwood has transformed into a food desert, leaving many residents struggling to access basic grocery needs.

Serge Mutalimba, a long-time resident of Rockwood, recalls a time when shopping options were plentiful. “I used to shop at a Safeway,” he says, reflecting on the significant changes over the years. Now, he must take a bus that is nearly twice as long to reach the remaining Albertsons. “Everybody else is gone,” Mr. Mutalimba laments, underscoring the drastic reduction of grocery options in the area.

The future of the Albertsons that Mr. Mutalimba relies on hangs in the balance as a trial currently unfolds in Portland. Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, has proposed a staggering $24.6 billion acquisition of the Albertsons chain. While Kroger assures that no stores would be closed as a result of the merger, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has intervened, filing a lawsuit aimed at blocking the acquisition. The FTC argues that such consolidation would lead to diminished competition within the grocery sector, likely resulting in higher prices and further store closures.

The ongoing hearing before a federal judge to assess the legality of this merger is anticipated to continue until Friday. In Rockwood, the consequences of the trial are palpable. The neighborhood features a mix of low-rise apartment complexes and is linked to central Portland by light rail and bus routes. With its racially and ethnically diverse population, Rockwood has been significantly influenced by gentrification; as housing costs in Portland have escalated, many low-income families have found themselves pushed to the periphery of the city, settling in areas like Rockwood.

Approximately a quarter of Rockwood’s residents identify as Latino, and on a recent afternoon at a local food pantry, a vibrant mix of languages—Spanish, Russian, and English—filled the air as families lined up for essential groceries. This diversity highlights the critical need for accessible food resources in the community, a need that could be exacerbated by the potential fallout from the proposed supermarket merger.