Massachusetts Lawmakers Examine Grocery Price Disparities

Boston, Massachusetts – Lawmakers Investigate Stop & Shop Price Disparities

Massachusetts lawmakers are pressing Stop & Shop for explanations regarding pricing discrepancies between urban and affluent neighborhoods, following a report indicating higher grocery prices in minority working-class areas. The investigation includes high-profile figures such as Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, as well as Representatives Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley. The lawmakers previously expressed concerns about these pricing practices in September 2024.

A recent report published by the Hyde Square Task Force revealed alarming data showing an average of 18% higher prices on 17 staple grocery items in Jamaica Plain—a predominantly minority working-class neighborhood—compared to a Stop & Shop store in Dedham, an affluent suburb. These findings have raised significant alarms among lawmakers who are advocating for equitable pricing across all communities in Massachusetts.

The Hyde Square Task Force conducted further studies, noting persisting price disparities at various Stop & Shop locations throughout Boston. The organization found that although some prices in Jamaica Plain had decreased by April 2025, other inner-city locations such as Grove Hall, South Bay, and Mission Hill still exhibited higher prices. For instance, Stouffer’s Swedish Meatballs were priced at $4.99 in Jamaica Plain, while the same item cost $3.99 in Dedham. Other discrepancies included Freschetta Pepperoni Pizza at $8.99 in the city versus $6.99 in Dedham, and Hormel Black Label Bacon priced at $8.49 compared to $7.99 in Dedham.

Legislators have highlighted the fact that despite some reductions in Jamaica Plain, substantial issues remain at other inner-city stores. They have demanded that Stop & Shop ensures fair pricing for families throughout the state and respond to questions regarding the rationale behind the existing pricing discrepancies. On May 6, 2025, lawmakers reinforced their inquiry by sending another letter to Stop & Shop, seeking clarification on how these price differences might be resolved and requesting information about the company’s pricing algorithms.

Since the initial reports, Stop & Shop has stated its commitment to lowering prices across all its stores in Massachusetts. The company indicated that a multi-year strategy aimed at enhancing pricing structures and making everyday items more affordable is currently in motion and will continue throughout 2025. In addition to pricing alterations, Stop & Shop has underscored its involvement in community programs, such as the Stop & Shop Food Pantry Program, which is designed to improve food access for students in need.

As of 2023, another study revealed that items at the Jackson Square Stop & Shop were priced considerably higher than their counterparts in Dedham, prompting ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Stop & Shop operates a total of 117 locations in Massachusetts and more than 300 stores throughout New York, New England, and New Jersey.

The socioeconomic disparity is stark, with median incomes in areas like Grove Hall, South Bay, and Mission Hill reported at approximately $45,000 to $66,000. In comparison, Dedham’s median income hovers around $140,000. This disparity has fueled concerns that higher grocery prices in lower-income areas create additional financial burdens for families already struggling to make ends meet.

Activists and youth organizers from the Hyde Square Task Force celebrated initial victories with the reduction of prices at local Stop & Shop stores but emphasized that ongoing pricing issues continue to affect low-income neighborhoods. Their advocacy highlights the critical need for accountability in grocery pricing practices to ensure fair access to food and essential items for all communities.