LETTER: Supporting this merger means supporting working families

Published 8:00 am Saturday, November 23, 2024

After the recent election, inflation and rising grocery costs have remained at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

As a young Black teacher in Portland, I’ve seen firsthand how these economic pressures hit families in underserved neighborhoods the hardest.

For the students and parents I work with, every dollar spent on food or essentials comes at the expense of something else.

That’s why the Kroger-Albertsons merger is more than just a business transaction—it’s a necessary step to protect grocery access in communities that already face too many barriers.

Albertsons has struggled financially for years, and without this merger, many of their stores could close.

In neighborhoods where grocery options are already scarce, this isn’t just inconvenient—it’s devastating. If the merger is blocked, those closures would lead to job losses and force families to travel further or pay more for basic necessities.

Kroger has committed to keeping stores open and bringing stability by partnering with C&S to manage 62 Oregon locations, including familiar names like Piggly Wiggly.

For communities like mine, this merger represents hope for stability during uncertain times. Inflation has already stretched families to the brink.

Losing affordable grocery options would only deepen the crisis for those who can least afford it.

Supporting this merger means supporting working families, preserving jobs, and ensuring neighborhoods like mine have the resources they need to thrive.

Let’s move forward and prioritize access to affordable groceries for all.

Keauna Cobb

Northeast Portland