washington group democrats congress urge u.s. department justice federal trade commission letter week conduct in-depth review online retailer amazon.com inc plan buy grocer whole foods market inc. lawmakers ask review include consideration effect 13.7 billion deal could access healthy foods so-called food desert residents may limit access fresh groceries oppose merger time concern merger could mean african-american communities across country already suffer lack affordable healthy food choices grocers letter say thursday letter sign u.s. representative marcia fudge 11 democrats include senator cory booker amazon whole foods hope expand access fresh food say brian huseman amazon vice president policy letter fudge also thursday agree access food important issue country share goal improve access huseman say letter amazon lobby able accept food stamp online participate pilot program deliver low-cost healthy food zip cod across country amazon limit access large selection high quality foods huseman write fudge fudge letter make public unite food commercial workers union ufcw represent many unionize grocery workers unite state fudge office confirm send letter amazon plan announce june buy premium grocer whole foods roil grocery industry spark worry deal could raise price reduce quality products hurt employment still antitrust experts expect federal trade commission approve plan merger letter ask scrutiny praise ufcw union political concern amazon acquisition whole foods grow good reason ufcw president marc perrone say friday amazon monopolistic desire control retail market replace good job automation direct threat hard-working men women whole foods also direct threat economy consumers amazon seek dispute would monopolize grocery industry wal-mart store inc currently control large market share also plan job reductions part acquisition approve would result company combine less percent national grocery sales huseman write democrats u.s. congress urge review amazon 's whole foods deal