Opinion: Alcohol Sales Aren't the Answer to Food Deserts

Michael Eugene Johnson argues against allowing beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores, citing potential harm to public health and local businesses.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Michael Eugene Johnson argues that allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores is not a reliable solution to food deserts in Maryland. He warns it could harm public health, oversaturate neighborhoods with alcohol, and threaten local independent store owners, urging lawmakers to pursue healthier, community-focused alternatives.

Why it matters

Food deserts, areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, are a significant issue in many communities. While some propose allowing alcohol sales in grocery stores as a solution, this could create new problems around public health and the displacement of local businesses.

The details

Johnson acknowledges the challenge of attracting grocery stores to underserved neighborhoods but cautions against relying on alcohol sales to bridge the financial gap. He argues that many neighborhoods are already oversaturated with liquor outlets, which can impact public safety and health. Adding alcohol to family grocery stores could further normalize high-density alcohol access in places where wellness should be promoted. Johnson also expresses concern for the impact on local independent liquor store owners, who could be displaced by large national chains with lower prices.

  • The article was published on February 7, 2026.

The players

Michael Eugene Johnson

The creator of the Pikes Studio Cinema and cofounder of Black Men Unifying Black Men, who argues against allowing beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores as a solution to food deserts.

Rev. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr.

A community leader whose previous piece advocating for allowing beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores prompted this response from Johnson.

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What they’re saying

“We must also consider the 'human' side of our local economy. Baltimore's independent liquor store owners are often neighborhood fixtures who have invested their life savings into their businesses. Allowing large national chains to enter this market—with their massive scale and lower prices—could inadvertently push these local entrepreneurs to the brink.”

— Michael Eugene Johnson, Creator of the Pikes Studio Cinema and cofounder of Black Men Unifying Black Men (Afro)

The takeaway

Rather than relying on alcohol sales to address food deserts, Johnson urges lawmakers to pursue healthier, community-focused alternatives such as grants for refrigeration, tax credits for local produce sourcing, and improved transit links to bring fresh, nutritious food to underserved neighborhoods without compromising public health or displacing local businesses.