Healthy Food Retail in Rural Communities Webinar

Posted by on July 08, 2013

Thursday July 18

Healthy Food Retail in Rural Communities

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pacific / 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern

Rural grocery stores anchor a community by supplying fresh foods and staples; creating local jobs; attracting complementary businesses; and increasing the tax base. Many rural grocers buy their goods and services from local vendors which also bolsters the local economy. Yet America’s rural grocery stores are under siege because of competition with “big box” stores for customers; high energy costs; the inability to buy products in small quantities; elderly owners with no succession plan;, and low population density.

This webinar will explore the unique challenges that rural grocers face and discuss innovative solutions to improving access to healthy foods in rural America.   Participants will also learn about the variety of USDA resources that are available to support rural grocery stores and how to access this funding.

Presenters Include:

Dr. David Proctor, Director, Rural Grocery Initiative Center for Engagement and Community Development, Kansas State University

Joani Walsh, Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA

Chad Parker, Deputy Administrator for Cooperative Programs, Rural Development’s Rural Business and Cooperative Service, USDA

Patricia Smith, The Reinvestment Fund, Senior Policy Advisor (moderator)

Register here.