Grocery Chains in L.A. Get Lousy Grades for Service and Quality
Screenshot from the Alliance's report
The 11 grocery chains operating in Los Angeles have recently been graded by
The Alliance for Healthy and Responsible Grocery Stores, and none of them are on the honor roll, according to ABC7.
The stores were graded based on their ability to offer customers access to affordable, quality food, as well as job quality and store quality. Of the chains, Ralphs scored the highest, with a B minus grade. Vallarta and Smart & Final were at the bottom, scoring D plus grades.
In their report issued yesterday, the Alliance points out the "widening grocery divide" between wealthy and low-income communities as evidenced by the abundance of fresh, healthy, high-quality food available.
The impact of these inadequate grocery stores is most felt in particular areas, such as South L.A., East L.A. and the Northeast San Fernando Valley, whose residents consequently "face a rising health epidemic."
The Alliance has several recommendations for individuals, organizations, officials, and businesses to make improvement. They say they hope "this report card will
motivate company executives, community leaders and elected officials to take actions to ensure that this critical industry is held to the highest standards."