Proposed food co-op in Vt. brings criticism
Posted at: 08/30/2012 9:14 AM
By: Andrew Murphy
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BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A food cooperative planned in Bennington, Vt., has drawn concerns from a small food business in the area.
The co-op is scheduled to open this fall. Bennington has been designated a "food desert" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, meaning it's difficult for people to find healthy, affordable food. That may help the market get federal grant money.
But Spice 'n Nice owner Lucinda Bedard said she was offended by the designation. The Bennington Banner reports (http://bit.ly/NyQbWY) she told the selectboard her store sells healthy foods and that it never received such assistance.
She said a federal grant for the co-op could create "incredibly unfair" competition that she feared could bring about the end of her business.
Board members said they'd address the matter at their next meeting.
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Information from: Bennington Banner, http://www.benningtonbanner.com
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
