In response to customer demand and in recognition of a growing negative image of Dollar stores as purveyors of "unhealthy" food items, both Dollar General and Family Dollar are introducing fresh groceries, fruit and vegetables.  Family Dollar has introduced these items in 100 of their currently 7,000 stores.  Dollar General is selling produce in 3,000 locations with the intention to expanding to 10,000 stores.

The Dollar stores have been reluctant to sell fruits and produce based on the cost of handling, low markups and wastage.  It is evident that both companies plan to provide customers with a full range of items to prepare healthy meals especially where there are no accessible full-service supermarkets referred to as “food deserts”.