Food Tank's Empowering Eaters event in Chicago features indie grocer Liz Abunaw

Grocery stores are like people—they come in all different shapes and sizes. And here at The Local Checkout, I’ll be taking a closer look through a wide lens of independent grocery stores. Because just like people—they all matter.   

Food Tank

The city of Chicago on Tuesday was a happening place of discussions centered around how to expand access to healthy, affordable, culturally relevant and delicious food, and what it will take to create healthier food environments.

Food Tank, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on building a global community for safe, healthy, nourished eaters, in partnership with Farmers Fridge, and the UNGC Local Network Initiative on Sustainable Food and Agriculture System, hosted the one-day summit in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

The Local Checkout attended the event and has gathered a few takeaways to share below from the summit which featured over 30 speakers.

Independent grocer Liz Abunaw, the owner, operator and founder of Forty Acres Fresh Market located in Chicago’s west-side neighborhood of Austin, was one of the panelists at the event discussing the importance of healthier food environments. 

This powerhouse of a speaker provided this takeaway: "You don't change the food ecosystem of a neighborhood without permanence. A grocery store is more than just a retail transaction, it is public health infrastructure." 

Ertharin Cousin, CEO and managing director of Food Systems for the Future, who was one of the panelists on the topic of public-sector partnerships, called for widening access to nutritious food: “We must increase SNAP and we must increase funding for double-up programs.”

To watch the full program of events, you can check it out here. I recommend watching it with a Farmer’s Fridge dill pickle salad. Delish!

Cue the confetti!

Natural Grocers is celebrating 68 years of promoting health, wellness and sustainable living with a three-day celebration that will take place Aug. 17-19. The family-operated independent grocer is planning special prizes, giveaways and more. 

"After 68 years, we still consider ourselves your friendly neighborhood grocery store where nutrition education and nourishing food that meets our high standards are warmly offered,” Natural Grocers' Co-President Kemper Isely said in a statement.

Natural Grocers said shoppers will enjoy three days of Epic Savings of up to 60% off on over 900 products during the birthday celebrations.

Lower prices? Yes, please.

Indie leadership promotions

Topping this week’s leadership news is an update from the National Grocers Association, which announced recently the promotion of Chelsea Matzen to vice president of its NGA Foundation. Matzen will continues to lead the nonprofit arm of the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry.

“In her three-plus years at the NGA Foundation, Chelsea has embraced numerous challenges and opportunities, including taking over leadership of the Foundation a year ago,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO, and NGA Foundation president. “During her time, she has helped to grow the Foundation’s scope and influence, including successfully launching the GusNIPTechnical Assistance Center and, most recently, the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC), both of which are instrumental in supporting the independent supermarket industry’s important role in feeding communities across the country.”

 Krasdale Foods, a 115-year-old family-owned business providing grocery distribution, merchandising and marketing services to independent grocery store owners, announced on Wednesday the promotion of Jenn Carson, the company's former social media and digital content manager, to director of marketing at Alpha 1 Marketing, Krasdale's merchandising and marketing affiliate.  

Carson joined Alpha 1 Marketing two years ago, bringing with her a decade of experience in marketing strategy, brand management, social media and influencer marketing. Carson will be responsible for all marketing initiatives in both the North East and Florida markets.

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