Ethnic Grocery Stores

Ethnic grocery stores or markets are shops owned and run by members of a particular ethnic group for members of the same group. They are often owned and staffed by members of the same family, including teenagers and grandparents. Such markets emerge once a critical mass of individuals from a particular region or country settle in a neighborhood or town. They provide foodstuffs generally unavailable at mainstream markets and imported from the home country or made fresh. Such items include a variety of fresh, dried, and canned fruits and vegetables; dry ingredients such as grains, legumes, flours, noodles, and spices; yeast and flat breads; canned items imported from the home country; and fresh, frozen, smoked, pickled, brined, or otherwise preserved and frozen fish, shellfish, and ...