Seattle allocates $1.7 million to support independent supermarkets

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has allocated $1.7 million to assist independent supermarkets in avoiding closure. This move comes as the city faces a projected budget deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars over the next three years, representing approximately 10 percent of its total revenues.

The funding follows previous discussions regarding more drastic measures to address “food deserts.” Former Mayor Bruce Harrell had previously suggested exploring government-owned supermarkets and the potential use of eminent domain to create public outlets in neighborhoods lacking convenient access to grocery stores.

Mayor Wilson has attributed the closure of retail locations, such as Kroger supermarkets, to corporate greed rather than regulatory burdens or crime. Critics note that Seattle remains a wealthy metropolis with a high median household income, despite the localized challenges regarding food access.