Here's a better question: Should the store be break-even? If the store is "losing money" then the community's taxes are collectively paying some part of the co

Here's a better question: Should the store be break-even? If the store is "losing money" then the community's taxes are collectively paying some part of the community's food costs. That sounds like a good thing! You still have personal choice, and your money still means something, but the town is collectively paying for more equal access to food and other essential goods, in a very direct way.