Organic Store Brings Different Flavor to Boston Neighborhood

BOSTON, U.S. -- Whole Foods? In Jamaica Plain? Where is the irony there? This diverse neighborhood’s culture is not only enriched with families of Latino decent but is also home to many predominately white middle-class individuals for whom shopping at the store is a lifestyle choice no matter what the location. Whole Foods, which offers locally grown produce and other organic products, would hardly be out of character here.

On January 19, 2011, Whole Foods confirmed the opening of their newest location at 415 Centre street, Jamaica Plain. It replaced Hi-Lo, a supermarket supplying items used in Latin American dishes.

According to the U.S. Census, the Latino population in Jamaica Plain has dropped drastically in the past 10 years, a 9.9 per cent decline. This is bad news for businesses like Hi-Lo that have historically catered to the Latino population. Despite these demographic changes, loosing Hi-Lo has alarmed many Jamaica Plain residents, who fear that the loss of diversity represents a negative chapter in its history.

Others find themselves thinking. “Where is the harm in having a Whole
Foods right in our backyard?” “I think it is a sign of progress when an urban neighborhood can attract a national organic food seller into their community,” says Doreen Treacy, a local Whole Foods shopper.

Others argue that the store's opening is a sign of the gentrification in Jamaica
Plain. Without Hi-Lo, the cultural flavor of Latino dishes will be impaired, they say. There are other detractors who say that Whole Foods is a “whole wallet” due to its notoriously high prices. But Jim White, another Whole Foods shopper, says that he has placed receipts from his trips to Whole Foods next to those from other grocery stores and not seen a significant difference in the items he purchases. He said that for the most part specialty items that would be more expensive at any grocery store are also more expensive at Whole Foods.

Sarah Lydon, a Jamaica Plain resident and Whole Foods customer, says that the loss of Hi-Lo will increase business in the many other local bodegas that sell similar products. “There are other markets here which can serve the Latino community” she says. It is also important to keep in mind that Whole Foods supplies not only locally grown organic foods but also a wide variety of foods found in Latino foods, Treacy adds.

Everyone does however agree that the opening of Whole Foods signifies winds of change in Jamaica Plain.