An African-American Brooklyn state senator has been forced to apologize for saying white people eat differently to black people. Velmanette Montgomery was slamming the imminent closure of Key Food supermarket as a sign that the New York City borough is becoming gentrified. Speaking to The Brooklyn Paper on Tuesday, Montgomery (D-Clinton Hill) said: 'Supermarkets are an important part of the community. It’s an important amenity, especially for black and brown communities. Apology: Velmanette Montgomery said white people can shop at expensive boutiques but black people can't . 'When you’re talking about a white community, it can be a little boutique, because white people don’t eat the way we do.' The observation prompted a wave of criticism, forcing Montgomery to issue a statement of apology. 'It was an unfortunate statement and I didn’t mean to offend anyone,' she told New York’s WCBS-TV. Montgomery claims she was trying to explain that the neighborhood's low-income families would not be able to afford produce sold in an upmarket supermarket or boutique store. The landlord of the eight-story building which houses Key Foods said he hopes to lease the space to another supermarket after the closure in May. Her comments came as she slammed the imminent closure of Key Food supermarket in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn .
Velmanette Montgomery said white people can shop at expensive boutiques but black people can't . She was addressing the imminent closure of Key Foods in Clinton Hill . Later apologized saying she 'didn't mean to offend anyone'