Tue., May 10th
Whole Foods in Jamaica Plain

Many months in the making, the controversy surrounding Whole Foods' takeover of the former Hi-Lo grocery store site in Jamaica Plain shows no signs of cooling. Last week, state senator Sonia Chang-Diaz said Whole Foods should establish a housing fund to offset possible rent increases in the Hyde Park area, and should also hire as many workers as possible from the neighborhood. City councilor-at-large Felix Arroyo wrote a letter echoing those sentiments. Residents and citizen groups have weighed in on both sides, holding discussions and demonstrations, trying to bend the ear of the higher-ups at Whole Foods.

The issues at play in Hyde Square are similar to those in other communities where Whole Foods has opened stores: gentrification, rising rent and home prices, displacement of longtime residents, the threat to small businesses, and a loss of local flavor. Meanwhile, Whole Foods has begun construction on their new building, has hired up worrkers, and is eyeing an opening day of sometime this Fall. We'll hear all sides of this discussion.

Guests:
Senator Sonia Chang-DÍaz, representing the second senate district in Suffolk County, which includes Jamaica Plain. You can read her open letter to Whole Foods here.
Councilor Matt O'Malley, representing city council district six, which includes West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.
Martha Rodriguez, longtime resident of Jamaica Plain and a spokesperson for Whose Foods, Whose Community?