From Food Deserts to Scalable Solutions 

Opening the Summit, Ambassador Ertharin Cousin challenged participants to shift the conversation away from defining the problem and toward identifying practical solutions that can be replicated nationwide. 

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs built upon this vision by reframing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. 

He emphasized that grocery retailers contribute far more than access to food. They create jobs, anchor commercial corridors, attract additional investment, and strengthen neighborhood vitality. 

Rob Karr, President and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, reinforced the importance of independent grocery retailers as vital contributors to community life and local economies. 

Community grocery leaders shared practical strategies for building sustainable businesses, highlighting the importance of customer engagement, operational excellence, partnerships, and diversified revenue streams to serve underserved communities.

Speakers explored how grants, debt, equity, public investment, and community finance can work together to create stronger, more sustainable capital pathways for independent grocery retailers.

Eli Moraru, Co-Founder and President of Community Grocer, shares how a neighborhood-driven model in Southwest Philadelphia is rethinking grocery retail through innovative financing, healthcare partnerships, workforce development, and local agriculture.

The discussion examined how policy tools—from zoning and tax incentives to procurement and financing—can strengthen the long-term viability of community grocery stores and improve food access.

In this keynote, food futurist Mike Lee challenges us to think beyond today's challenges and envision a future where grocery stores are not just places to buy food, but engines of health, resilience, and community.

Panelists shared practical approaches to reducing waste, minimizing losses, and improving operational efficiency while maintaining affordable, nutritious food access for customers.

This session explored collaborative procurement models, alternative sourcing strategies, and shared distribution solutions that can help independent grocers lower costs and compete more effectively.

Participants discussed how SNAP policy influences grocery operations, customer access, and store sustainability, highlighting opportunities to better align nutrition policy with the realities facing community retailers.

An armchair conversation explored how community data can guide smarter investment, inform local decision-making, and support stronger grocery retail ecosystems.

The Summit concluded with a discussion on how collaboration among food policy councils, government, philanthropy, and community leaders can translate ideas into lasting action.