Grocer to Offer Income-Based Pricing

Grocery on Broad, a food shopping alternative to traditional food retailers offering fresh groceries, will open tomorrow, May 30 in Hartford, Connecticut, reports the Hartford Courant. Prices at the location will be discounted based on a consumer’s individual and family income level.

Additionally, discounts can be combined with other low-income subsidy programs like SNAP to offer deeper discounts.

Ben Dubow, executive director of the nonprofit Forge City Works, Grocery on Broad's operator, said that the market will create more options for the community to buy fresh groceries while easing the burden of prohibitive costs.

“What we’re really trying to do is address both,” Dubow said. “To me, it’s just part of the puzzle. It’s not the whole thing. We don’t see ourselves replacing traditional food pantries or other programs like that. But we think we can be a good supplement for people and provide ongoing, continuing access to more healthy, wholesome, real foods on a regular basis.”

Customers meeting income guidelines can qualify for a 50 percent or 25 percent discount on purchases at the market by signing up for a free membership. If a customer does not meet income guidelines, a membership still offers a three percent discount. Walk-ins without membership are required to pay full price.

Dubow said he hopes the model will work in other areas where buying nutritious ingredients such as rice, beans, and other grains is a challenge. Full Story