City Council members Larry Green, District K and Stephen Costello , At- Large Position 1, submitted a motion to amend an ordinance which will now allow stores that are 10,000 square feet or more to sell beer and wine in order to entice grocers to come into areas that are food deserts.
Food deserts are common in Houston’s African American communities, where convenient stores are on every corner and doubled up down the block. The closest full out grocery stores in those areas is miles apart in communities where many walk or catch the bus to use.

Large scale grocers are not moving into these communities and as an incentive the city council will allow them to sell beer or wine only. Distilled products are not allowed.
“This is about finding the right retailers to come in,” said Mayor Parker.
The city has not come up with an official incentive deal for grocery retailers who will open grocery stores in food deserts such as Third Ward.

Issues concerning food deserts have not been pacified with this ordinance as the size of a “grocery store” is still on the plate. For areas that do have food deserts a 10,000 square feet store is not large enough to accommodate their needs.