Central Florida city considers moratorium on new dollar-discount stores amid 'food desert'
The city of Apopka is the latest community to question the growth of small box, dollar discount stores.
WESH 2's Greg Fox looks at the stores that may have super-low prices, but could be leaving some communities without vital food choices.
Charles Barns has no car. He walks to the store for food in Apopka. The closest one to him is a Dollar Tree.
Dollar Tree, Dollar General and other deep discount stores have prepackaged food, like cold cuts, pizza, and they have milk, butter and cheese, but not fresh produce. That means there's no fresh meat: pork, poultry and fish.
Charles wishes there was a grocery store.
Sandra Woodson agrees.
"Especially when you consider your senior citizens, too. Because they may not have transportation with the buses or even have a car," Woodson said.
The growth of dollar-style stores is stunning. There are more than 30,000 locations in the United States.
The one at Piedmont-Wekiva Road and Highway 436 is opening soon. It's one of a dozen in Apopka.
In South Apopka along Highway 441, they've got a Dollar Tree. Right down the line, about 100 yards away, there is a Family Dollar, which is owned by Dollar Tree, but has multiple price points.
More dollar stores that are serving communities that used to have grocery stores are creating what some call food deserts, meaning there's a lack of affordable fresh food in the area.
Mayor Bryan Nelson said they are trying to get rid of those food deserts.
Nelson and Apopka's council have authorized the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would put a moratorium on new dollar-type stores for six months to give the city a chance to determine if they want to allow more stores in the future.
"What's the balancing act there between, you know, rights to build what you want and the opportunity for new merchandise?" Nelson asked.
Pharmacies, which also sell prepackaged foods, would be exempt from the moratorium.
The vote is set for Aug. 4th.