Davids Urges Federal Investigation into Unfair Practices Raising Grocery Prices

Today, Representative Sharice Davids urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate why a law meant to prevent unfair practices is not being enforced, resulting in higher grocery costs for Americans. The Robinson-Patman Act (RPA), commonly referred to as the Anti-Price Discrimination Act, is designed to ensure fair competition in the food industry by protecting against unfair practices from large corporations that drive up costs for small producers and consumers. However, it currently lacks the oversight needed to fulfill its purpose.

“Since 2020, both consumers and local grocers have expressed great concerns to me with regard to rising costs of goods and services,” wrote Davids. “My constituents deserve strong competition so they can have more choices to shop for the best bargains, which also helps prevent large corporations from taking advantage of them and smaller businesses.”

“Though [the RPA] proved a positive force on the economy shortly after its passage, in the last 40 years, there has been little enforcement or oversight of this law, and high levels of concentration in the food and retail industry are rampant,” Davids continued. “Local grocers and storefronts are the backbone of America’s small business community, and we hope to see the FTC take steps to protect our entrepreneurs and families who are bearing the brunt of higher grocery prices.”

Along with her letter, Davids has made lowering the cost of groceries for families and small businesses a priority in Congress, including: 

• Voting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs for consumers.
• Supporting the Price Gouging Prevention Act, legislation ensuring large corporations can’t take advantage of consumers at the grocery store.
• Holding multiple roundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their business’ financial security.
• Working a “Sharice’s Shift” at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries. 

A full copy of the letter can be found here.