Where does the Households in the City of Baltimore go to Shop for Groceries?

Overall, 85 percent of all FSP households in Maryland have at least one FSP-authorized store within 1/2 mile of where they live. In Baltimore City, 99 percent are within 1/2 mile of a retailer; in other metropolitan counties, 71 percent; and in nonmetro counties, 62 percent.

The closest authorized store is likely to be a convenience or a grocery store. In Baltimore City, a grocery store is nearest for most FSP households. In other metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, convenience stores are likely to be nearest. However, FSP families redeem only a small percentage of food stamp benefits at the nearest retailer. This percentage ranges from 5.8 percent in Baltimore City to 10.4 percent in nonmetropolitan counties.

Food stamp households shop selectively and frequently bypass the nearest store. For the average FSP recipient, the nearest store is 0.3 miles. Yet, estimated travel distance for the average shopping occasion is 2.7 miles. This pattern of bypassing the closest store holds for all store types--supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, or other types.

Although the large majority of members of the home travel less than 3 miles to shop at a supermarket, there are areas throughout the State where the travel burden is more substantial. Nearly every county outside the Baltimore and Washington, DC metropolitan areas has at least one zipcode area where FSP are available, on average, more than 10 miles to shop at a supermarket.

Food shopping behavior in Maryland is significantly affected by proximity to stores. Distance to the nearest supermarket has the biggest impact on shopping patterns, though the measured effect is small. For instance, a 10-percent increase in distance to the nearest supermarket reduces the share of EBT benefits redeemed at supermarkets by 1.3 percent in Baltimore and 0.8 percent elsewhere. A Family with children redeem a larger share of their benefits at supermarkets and, in Baltimore City, elderly homes spend more of their benefits at grocery stores.