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Listen: Neighbors Take On Corner Stores Plagued By Violence, Spoiled Food

Chalie’s Convenient Market in Washington Park, Ill., is known as the “Orange Store” among neighbors. (Michael B. Thomas for KHN)

KHN Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony was interviewed by Chicago-based host Cliff Kelley on the “America’s Heroes Group” radio show about her recent reporting on how people in low-income neighborhoods are fighting back against crime and spoiled food at their local corner stores.

She also appeared on “The 21st” with host Brian Mackey on Illinois Public Media to discuss the piece on how crime centered around such corner stores in East St. Louis and neighboring communities creates problems for accessing food.

 

Previously, Anthony joined host Sarah Fenske on St. Louis Public Radio’s news magazine “St. Louis on the Air” to discuss the article.

Anthony had reported that such corner stores are among the few grocery options for many, including those who use the federal food stamp program, but a lack of oversight has allowed the stores to become magnets for violence. The poor quality of food doesn’t make a trip to the corner store worth the risk. As officials in Washington turn a blind eye to the storefront gunbattles, residents are putting their feet down.

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