International News - 'State grocery stores' plan eyed by US committee

An influential legislative committee in the US has called on its state governor to investigate whether 'state grocery stores' should be established in poor neighbourhoods that lack retail facilities.

Pennsylvania state House of Representatives Health and Human Services Committee released a report last week examining the problems that arise because big retailers shun some of the poorest areas of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Recommendations include ignoring standard US free marketeering and returning retail diversity to neighbourhoods now served by only high-priced convenience stores, offering little fresh produce.