Rochester-area grocery stores are advocating for a slower implementation of newly proposed state regulations

Rochester, N.Y. — Mom-and-pop grocery store owners say newly proposed state regulations will hurt their businesses.

Under the state’s plan, all stores will be required to adopt new refrigeration standards next year for environmental reasons.

These regulations include phasing out a group of synthetic gases often used in refrigerators and air conditioners, which would involve modernization costs.

Local store owners say implementing this mandate would be too soon and would be devastating to local grocery stores and convenience stores – many of which are located in area food deserts.

“We have all made significant investments in our business,” said Deric West, owner of Honeoye Falls Marketplace. “Here we try to carry out a project every year to modernize our refrigeration equipment and housings, thus ensuring our cold chain and food safety. So what we have here is a relatively moderate supermarket, and under the proposed regulations we would really be throwing everything away – if everything goes well – and starting over.”

Companies are now asking the New York State Department of Environmental Protection to bring their policies in line with federal standards.

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