A recap of the week’s equity news

 ”Farmers’ market trying to attract food stamp users,” - Toledo Blade

Farmers’ markets are practically overflowing this time of year with fresh, healthy produce - corn, zucchini, watermelon, tomatoes, and more.

But many of the most nutritionally needy consumers don’t shop often at farmers’ markets.

“The Trouble with Transportation,” - Newsweek
High gas prices have dimmed private equity’s hopes of rosy returns on infrastructure and transportation projects. Government could be the loser

For private equity investors, the sheen is wearing off purchases of public asphalt. A year ago, banks and private investment firms were racing to pour money into infrastructure projects such as highways and light-rail systems. Compared with an investment in stocks, buying or leasing a highway seemed like a low-risk bet with easily estimated, long-term returns. After all, competing highways or mass transit systems couldn’t just spring up overnight to divert toll- and ticket-paying customers.

But $4-a-gallon gasoline slowed the enthusiasm for such projects. Many commuters are choosing to leave their cars in the garage and take mass transit, or don’t have a job to drive to anymore. “If you look at the publicly reported forecasts for the Chicago Skyway or Wall Street estimates of global traffic, they are completely different now,” said George Bilicic, a managing director at NYC private equity firm Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts who spoke on a panel held Sept. 3 at the University of Minnesota. “It goes into the risk assessment associated with the investment decision.”

“Miles of Aisles for Milk? Not Here,” - New York Times

HARMAR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Like cars and homes, grocery stores are beginning to shrink.

After years of building bigger stores — many larger than a football field and carrying 60,000 items — retailers are experimenting with radically smaller grocery stores that emphasize prepared meals, fresh produce and grab-and-go drinks.

The idea is to lure time-starved shoppers who want to pick up a few items or a fast meal without wandering long grocery aisles or paying restaurant prices.

Tags: , , big box, chicago, farmer market, fast meal, food desert, food stamp, gas, grab and go, grocery stores, health, healthy eating, infrastructure, light rail, milk, nutrition, public transportation, subway, train

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