Milwaukee Faces Growing Food Desert Crisis as Grocery Stores Close

Milwaukee residents are facing increasing challenges in accessing fresh, affordable food as neighborhood grocery stores shutter their doors, exacerbating existing food desert conditions. City leaders are responding with proposed funding, but the closures highlight deeper systemic issues of segregation, transportation, and economic vulnerability.

What are Food Deserts?

A food desert is typically defined as a geographic area where access to fresh, healthy food is limited or nonexistent. Dr. Kirk Harris, associate professor of Urban Development at UW–Milwaukee, explains that these locations often lack institutions or stores that provide fresh food options, which are strongly linked to health outcomes.

Recent Grocery Store Closures in Milwaukee

Several grocery stores in Milwaukee have recently closed, impacting lower-income neighborhoods disproportionately. These include:

• Sentry Foods (6350 W. Silver Spring Drive): Closed in January 2026, less than three years after opening to address food access issues on the northwest side.
• Aldi (5301 N. Hopkins St.): Closed recently, adding to the growing number of closures.
• Sentry Foods (near 64th Street and Silver Spring): Announced closures to customers.
• Other Pick ‘n Save locations have also faced protests regarding closures.

Systemic Issues Contributing to Food Deserts

Experts point to several underlying factors contributing to the prevalence of food deserts in Milwaukee:

• Segregation: Milwaukee is one of the most highly segregated cities in the United States, and this segregation is a major factor in the unequal distribution of resources, including access to healthy food.
• Economic Vulnerability: Communities experiencing food deserts are often economically vulnerable, making it difficult for residents to afford transportation to distant grocery stores or higher prices at available options.
• Transportation Barriers: Lack of access to reliable transportation, including cars and public transit, limits residents’ ability to reach grocery stores. Even a short distance can be a significant obstacle.
• Historical Policies: The term “food desert” may not fully capture the issue, as these conditions are often the result of long-term policies, historic redlining, and deliberate decisions, a concept some refer to as “food apartheid.”

City Response and Proposed Solutions

Milwaukee’s Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced plans to address the issue, including a proposed $1 million fund to support neighborhood grocery stores avoid closing. The fund would help offset operational challenges and provide grants for equipment upgrades and start-up inventory.

Community-Based Solutions

Alongside city initiatives, community-based solutions are emerging:

• Supporting Existing Stores: Encouraging residents to support local grocery stores to help keep them afloat.
• Sherman Park Grocery: This store, which opened in 2022 in a designated food desert, has added a new cooler through partnerships to offer grab-and-travel healthy options.
• Mobile Markets, Food Pantries, and Community Food Centers: These organizations help fill gaps in food access, often providing education alongside food distribution.

Health Impacts of Food Deserts

The lack of access to healthy food has significant health consequences. Areas with limited access to fresh produce often turn into “food swamps,” characterized by an abundance of fast food and unhealthy options, leading to poor nutrition and related health problems.

Addressing food deserts requires a multi-faceted approach, including immediate access solutions and long-term policy changes to create a more equitable food system.