The fight to keep supermarkets | Morning Newsletter
And a day-care nightmare.
The Morning Newsletter
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Our streak of fabulously comfortable weather continues with today’s high temp expected to reach just 80 with a chance of showers.
🥬 First, I’ll walk you through how community members in North Philly have been at the forefront of food justice for the last half-century.
🍼 And then, a day-care center shutting down in Malvern showcases broader issues in the child-care industry.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
The new supermarket in Sharswood is part of a six-decade battle to improve fresh food access in Philadelphia’s poorest communities and combat supermarkets’ aversion to operating in inner-city, low-income neighborhoods.
A century ago, small mom-and-pop grocery stores dotted every Philadelphia neighborhood. One analysis out of the University of Pennsylvania counted one store for every 54 families.
But by the 1960s, grocery store executives opted to follow middle-class white families on their flight pattern to the suburbs.
A look at the numbers:
By 2019, 25% of Philadelphians lived in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty and no or limited access to stores with high-quality produce.
Across the city, stores selling mostly unhealthy food outnumber stores with healthier options by nearly 10-1.
Keep reading to learn more about the Black entrepreneurs who spent the past half-century fighting to bring high-quality food to inner cities.
What you should know today
A Temple University professor known for advocating for college affordability resigns after a university-commissioned investigation focused on concerns about her leadership concluded.
The Philadelphia Mexican Business Association met with police and elected officials to discuss safety concerns in light of slow police response times, 911 dispatchers hanging up on callers, and an overall lack of support.
Amid the monkeypox vaccine shortage, Philly’s health commissioner is trying to figure out how to stretch the supply.
A 4-H club is in limbo after the School District of Philadelphia, which operates the farm where city students for decades have raised animals, refused to rent out space and charged fees for services previously provided for free.
From Civic Center Boulevard to Grays Ferry Avenue in Southwest Philly near CHOP, University Avenue will shrink to one lane each way until the spring.
Philly-area universities are relaxing mask mandates but will keep vaccination requirements for the fall semester.
Local coronavirus numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data
The Arbor Learning Academy day-care center in Malvern is closed indefinitely as the state Department of Human Services investigates complaints by parents who also filed reports to local police alleging drug use by staff.
One former staffer told The Inquirer she has been reporting the facility for alleged drug activity, child abuse, and endangerment since January 2021, when she resigned after 15 months.
State records show that Arbor has struggled repeatedly in recent years with money, staffing issues, and state inspections. Over the last two years, Arbor was cited for 45 separate violations, including employing staffers who were missing background checks required for work in child-care settings.
The pandemic has caused a variety of disruptions in the child-care industry including high turnover and staff shortages.
Reporters Marina Affo and Ryan Briggs spoke to parents and former staff about their concerns for the safety of the children.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
Who is the Philadelphia creative making art out of spilt breastmilk?
A. Aimee Gilmore
B. Jessica Libor
C. Brittany Anne Baum
D. None of the above
Find out if you know the answer.
What we’re...
📚Reading: A charming love story that began with a search for a bookcase.
📺 Watching: The Better Call Saul series finale tonight.
👏🏾 Applauding: West Philly native Quinta Brunson for securing a multiyear contract with Warner Bros. to create new projects.
🧩 Unscramble the Anagram 🧩
This chef recently marked his return to Atlantic City with a new stand at Harrah’s resort.
ABBYBY FLO
We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Email us if you know the answer.
Photo of the day
And that’s your Monday! Thank you for starting your week with The Inquirer. I’ll be here in your inbox the same time tomorrow.