Timothy Kennedy
08/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/04/2026 12:34
Empty Shelves, Weaker Communities: Kennedy Calls for Passage of Three Bills to Combat Food Deserts Outside Shuttered Buffalo Grocery Store
Genesee Street Save A Lot Closure is the Latest in a String of WNY Grocery Losses Hurting Neighborhoods
Kennedy Urges the House to Pass the Food Deserts Act, the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act, and the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Standing with community members outside of the recently shuttered Save A Lot grocery store on Genesee Street in Buffalo, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) called on the House of Representatives to pass three pieces of legislation that he cosponsors that are aimed at combating food deserts and expanding access to affordable, healthy groceries in underserved communities. The Genesee Street Save A Lot permanently closed in May, leaving neighbors, many without a car, with far fewer options for groceries within walking distance.
"When a grocery store closes in a neighborhood like Schiller Park, for families with limited access to transportation, it can mean the difference between fresh food and processed food, and between affordable groceries and expensive, unhealthy options from a corner store," said Congressman Kennedy. "No matter your ZIP code, every Western New Yorker must have access to a walkable grocery store where they can find fresh fruits, vegetables, and affordable food for their families. This package of legislation includes three commonsense bills that would help bring grocery stores back to underserved neighborhoods and support existing stores. With groceries becoming more unaffordable every day, I'm calling on the House of Representatives to pass this legislation as soon as possible and give relief to communities in need."
The three bills would each address a different piece of the food desert problem:
- The Food Deserts Act, H.R.484, would direct the Department of Agriculture to award grants to states to establish revolving loan funds supporting the opening and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities.
- The Health Food Access for All Americans Act, H.R.2473, would create tax credits and grants for grocery stores, food banks, and mobile markets that operate in food deserts.
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The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act, H.R.3506, would reauthorize and fund the Department of Agriculture's Healthy Food Financing Initiative through 2030. This program is a public-private partnership that has helped attract grocery stores and fresh food retailers to underserved neighborhoods nationwide.
The closure of Save A Lot on Genesee Street is a part of a larger troubling pattern in Western New York. In 2019, the Tops Friendly Markets location near Broadway and Bailey permanently closed. The Save A Lot in the Broadway Market shuttered its doors in June 2024, followed by closures in Lancaster and Batavia that same year. Similarly, Braymiller Market closed its downtown Buffalo location in December 2024. These closures force families to rely on discount retail dollar store chains and corner stores that don't carry the same variety or quality of fresh food, requiring many to travel further for groceries.
Grocery prices have continued to climb even as stores like the Genesee Street Save A Lot disappear. The cost of food nationwide rose roughly three percent over the past year ending in June 2026[1]. For families now forced to rely on corner stores or dollar stores instead of a full-service grocer, those higher prices cause even more financial strain, since smaller retailers typically charge more per item and rarely carry fresh produce or sale pricing. Losing a full-service grocery store doesn't just mean a longer walk to buy groceries, it means paying more for less, at the worst possible time.
"Food insecurity is a pervasive problem throughout Western New York. Last year alone, nearly 171,000 neighbors relied on FeedMore WNY and our partner agencies for nutritious food assistance - but we cannot alleviate food insecurity alone. Increasing access to healthy, affordable food is a shared responsibility that requires partnerships throughout our community across the public and private sector. We stand with Congressman Kennedy in support of these critical pieces of legislation to reduce food deserts and increase nutritious food access for our Western New York neighbors," Catherine Shick, Chief Communications Officer for FeedMore WNY, said.
Deputy Erie County Executive Lisa M. Chimera said, "Food is a basic necessity, not a luxury or privilege. As a former teacher, I saw how hunger affects a child's ability to learn and succeed, while creating health consequences that can last into adulthood. Erie County has worked with our Food Policy Council and community partners to improve food access, but we cannot do it alone. I thank Congressman Kennedy for supporting legislation that would bring fresh food, jobs, and investment to underserved communities.
New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "In the wake of the May 14 tragedy at Tops on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, we saw firsthand the devastating impact of a community having limited access to fresh, healthy food. I was proud to secure a $500,000 pilot for the FRESH Communities Act in this year's State Budget, building on Congressman Kennedy's longstanding leadership on this issue in the State Senate. Expanding access to nutritious food requires partnership at every level of government, and these federal bills will help communities like Buffalo improve access to grocery stores and strengthen local food systems. I thank Congressman Kennedy for his work to bring fresh, nutritious groceries to all New Yorkers."
"Access to healthy, affordable food is a matter of public health, equity, and opportunity. Too many residents across Buffalo's Eastside and other underserved communities continue to face barriers to accessing fresh, nutritious food close to home," said President Pro Tempore & Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta B. Everhart. "I stand in support of Congressman Tim Kennedy's efforts to advance legislation that invests in communities impacted by food deserts, supports local grocery stores, and ensures families have access to the resources they need to thrive. The closure of the Save A Lot on Genesee Street is a reminder that we must continue working together to bring meaningful investment and solutions to neighborhoods that have been historically underserved. Every Buffalo resident deserves access to healthy food options, and this legislation moves us closer to that goal."
Kennedy introduced the FRESH Act while in the New York State Senate. This legislation, now carried by Senator April Baskin, authorizes financial assistance, such as loans and grants, to encourage the opening, expansion, and retention of grocery stores and supermarkets in underserved low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Kennedy vowed to keep pressing the House to bring all three bills to a vote, and to keep fighting for federal investments that bring grocery stores back to neighborhoods that have lost them.
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Grocery prices have continued to climb even as stores like the Genesee Street Save A Lot disappear. The cost of food nationwide rose roughly three percent over the past year ending in June 2026[1]. For families now forced to rely on corner stores or dollar stores instead of a full-service grocer, those higher prices cause even more financial strain, since smaller retailers typically charge more per item and rarely carry fresh produce or sale pricing. Losing a full-service grocery store doesn't just mean a longer walk to buy groceries, it means paying more for less, at the worst possible time.
"Food insecurity is a pervasive problem throughout Western New York. Last year alone, nearly 171,000 neighbors relied on FeedMore WNY and our partner agencies for nutritious food assistance - but we cannot alleviate food insecurity alone. Increasing access to healthy, affordable food is a shared responsibility that requires partnerships throughout our community across the public and private sector. We stand with Congressman Kennedy in support of these critical pieces of legislation to reduce food deserts and increase nutritious food access for our Western New York neighbors," Catherine Shick, Chief Communications Officer for FeedMore WNY, said.
Deputy Erie County Executive Lisa M. Chimera said, "Food is a basic necessity, not a luxury or privilege. As a former teacher, I saw how hunger affects a child's ability to learn and succeed, while creating health consequences that can last into adulthood. Erie County has worked with our Food Policy Council and community partners to improve food access, but we cannot do it alone. I thank Congressman Kennedy for supporting legislation that would bring fresh food, jobs, and investment to underserved communities.
New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "In the wake of the May 14 tragedy at Tops on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, we saw firsthand the devastating impact of a community having limited access to fresh, healthy food. I was proud to secure a $500,000 pilot for the FRESH Communities Act in this year's State Budget, building on Congressman Kennedy's longstanding leadership on this issue in the State Senate. Expanding access to nutritious food requires partnership at every level of government, and these federal bills will help communities like Buffalo improve access to grocery stores and strengthen local food systems. I thank Congressman Kennedy for his work to bring fresh, nutritious groceries to all New Yorkers."
"Access to healthy, affordable food is a matter of public health, equity, and opportunity. Too many residents across Buffalo's Eastside and other underserved communities continue to face barriers to accessing fresh, nutritious food close to home," said President Pro Tempore & Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta B. Everhart. "I stand in support of Congressman Tim Kennedy's efforts to advance legislation that invests in communities impacted by food deserts, supports local grocery stores, and ensures families have access to the resources they need to thrive. The closure of the Save A Lot on Genesee Street is a reminder that we must continue working together to bring meaningful investment and solutions to neighborhoods that have been historically underserved. Every Buffalo resident deserves access to healthy food options, and this legislation moves us closer to that goal."
Kennedy introduced the FRESH Act while in the New York State Senate. This legislation, now carried by Senator April Baskin, authorizes financial assistance, such as loans and grants, to encourage the opening, expansion, and retention of grocery stores and supermarkets in underserved low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Kennedy vowed to keep pressing the House to bring all three bills to a vote, and to keep fighting for federal investments that bring grocery stores back to neighborhoods that have lost them.
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[1] https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/consumer-prices-up-3-5-percent-over-the-year-ended-june-2026.htm
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