Latino institute to study Whole Foods

The gentrification controversy surrounding Whole Foods Market’s entry into Hyde Square last year may be studied by Latino policy researchers at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

“We are in the process of submitting [a research grant] proposal and we can’t really talk about the details yet,” said Pablo Goldbarg, a spokesperson for the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy.

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council was set to discuss a possible letter of support for the research project at its meeting Tuesday night after the Gazette’s deadline, according to chair Ben Day.

The upscale Whole Foods replaced a Latino-centered market at 413 Centre St. While supported by many residents, the move also drew concerns about speeding up the pace of gentrification in what is known as Boston’s Latin Quarter.

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