Area Residents Petitioning For Supermarket Diversity

Gigi Arnold is sick and tired of the lack of grocery store diversity in the area. But instead of just complaining about it, Arnold has decided to take action. 

The Northampton Township resident and three others are scouring the area with a petition demanding supermarket diversity. 

Arnold said 200 people currently have signed the petition. The group hopes to get 500 signatures as soon as possible.

The petition, which the group is circulating throughout Newtown and beyond, reads: “The purchase of Genuardi’s by the Giant Corporation promotes stagnation in the marketplace. An example of a diverse and progressive supermarket would be Wegman’s or Whole Foods.” 

Arnold, who was at the Newtown Starbucks Wednesday afternoon, said pretty much everyone she asks signs the petition and thanks her for her efforts. 

“Wherever I go, I take my folder with me,” Arnold said, adding the reaction from those she approaches is encouraging. “I find every single person wants a Whole Foods here or a Wegman’s.”

After the news that , including the one in Newtown, Arnold said she was prompted to act.

“We’re asking for upscale supermarket diversity,” Arnold said. “Wegmans is an experience. It’s lower prices, fresher produce and more variety. At Whole foods, everything is healthy.”

When they reach their goal of 500 signatures, Arnold said they will deliver the petition to local governments in Newtown Borough and Township, Northampton Township, Middletown Township, Lower Makefield Township and Langhorne Borough. 

Healthy options and competitive prices are just a few of the perks of having supermarket diversity, Arnold added. “I think if we had a Whole Foods, Wegman’s or Trader Joe’s, the value of our houses would go up and the desirability for living in this area would go up. People want to live near those stores.”

Anyone interested in signing the petition can contact Arnold at gigi@sagemedia.tv.