By DEJA JONES
On Tuesday, July 8, the Prince George’s County Council voted to urge the Maryland General Assembly to authorize grocery stores in the county to sell beer and wine.
Council member Ingrid Watson (District 4) emphasized that “the legislation may increase the financial viability of grocery stores in underserved communities.” According to Watson, 40% of Prince George’s County neighborhoods are considered food deserts, and 55% have low food access and unhealthy food.
“Surrounding communities being able to sell beer and wine in their grocery stores has brought the quality grocers like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in surrounding communities including Washington D.C. and we need the same thing in Prince George’s County,” Council member Wala Blegay (District 6) said.
Council member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) also spoke in support of the resolution. She said that at her local liquor and grocery stores, items are behind plexiglass, and there is no fresh food. Oriadha said she is advocating for the change because not everybody can go to the next community to get necessities. Some people in her district can only get to the local Dollar Store, according to Oriadha
Council member Wanika Fisher (District 2), the lead sponsor of the measure, said that when she was a state delegate she attempted a similar measure, and that making progress would be difficult because of a powerful liquor lobby.
The council passed the resolution with 8 votes, with Council member Jolene Ivey (District 5) abstaining, saying she would prefer the issue be dealt with statewide, and Council member Eric Olsen (District 3) the only vote against it. The measure now heads to the county’s state delegation, which will decide whether to sponsor a bill in the Maryland General Assembly next year.
For now, the council’s message is clear: loosening restrictions on alcohol sales in grocery stores could be one part of a broader strategy to bring more food options and potentially more business to Prince George’s County communities that need them most.