EXCERPT: “When it comes to feeding her family of five, Stephanie Pocklington leans heavily on Island Market in Pine Island. ‘Cereals, pizzas, beverages, snacks,’ Pocklington said. ‘Generally things we’ll cook for dinner, like pastas and sauces’ are purchased at the lone full-service grocer in the town of roughly 3,400 people. Not that Island Market is her only stop. Fruits, vegetables and meats often come from Hy-Vee in Rochester. While the Sam’s Club in Rochester is where she’ll buy bulk items such as toilet paper, paper towels or dog food. She buys her milk at Kwik Trip and toiletries and over-the-counter medicines at Dollar General. In short, Pocklington said, she’s got options. Still, she admits, if her family needed to rely only on the stores in Pine Island, ‘You are definitely limited.’ Grocery limitations are a common problem for shoppers in small towns. Cities ranging in size from Dover to Wanamingo to Lewiston to Byron do not have full-service grocery stores. And convenience stores like Kwik Trip or limited-service grocery options such as Dollar General only fill part of the need.” FULL STORY: http://bit.ly/33TnrQz
