Dear Editor:

Dollar type stores are popping up in rural communities like acne before prom night. These stores compete with the grocery stores by offering the shelf stable items without the expense of also offering the healthier fresh foods and meats. As a consequence, grocers, especially independent grocers, face increased pressure on pricing. And like their big box store cousins, these economic parasites offer little in the way of give-back to the community.

Unless we want to see these things displacing traditional and more wholesome grocers in our communities, we need to adapt zoning restrictions and a review process to assure a balanced mix of businesses that offer access to quality fresh foods.

We must act now to convene hearings and consider policy changes to protect our community from this disruption in our food supply.

Fred W. Nehring

Boothbay