The Local Checkout: Sen. Stabenow goes to the supermarket; Mother's Day brunch to benefit moms in crisis

Welcome to The Local Checkout, a Winsight Grocery Business column about independent grocers from Editor Diane Adam. 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.   

Sen. Stabenow goes to the supermarket

In a tour reminiscent of the classic Frank Capra film but with a twist, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) recently visited SpartanNash banner D&W Fresh Market in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The National Grocers Association (NGA) hosted Stabenow to offer the leader a firsthand look into how federal policies directly impact independent grocers.

“As conversations continue in Congress about the 2023 Farm Bill and the key nutrition programs included in the legislative package, it’s critical for influential leaders like Senator Stabenow to hear from independent grocers about how federal policies are impacting their business operations, their store associates, and the communities they serve,” said Stephanie Johnson, NGA vice president of government relations, in a statement. “Senator Stabenow has been a champion for independent grocers in the halls of Congress and we look forward to working with her in the coming months to ensure independent grocers continue to be a driving economic force in Michigan and throughout the United States.”

A healthy touchpoint for families

Down in Texas this week, Little Red Box Grocery (LRB), a community market located in Houston’s Second Ward, in partnership with Forage, Grocerist and Texas’ Sustainable Food Center, announced SNAP-EBT (food stamps) as a payment option on its website; in addition to launching Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) in store, allowing SNAP recipients to double every dollar spent on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

“Oftentimes, our customers are just coming in for one or two essential items—a loaf of bread, milk or some vegetables, and if we weren’t here, they tell us they’d need to take two buses to get to a store or they’d just go without,” says LRB owner Samuel Newman.

It's hard to believe, but in addition to LRB, only four independent grocery stores in Texas provide online access to SNAP-EBT for consumers who rely on the federal benefit.

“I believe implementing solutions like SNAP-EBT online and Double Up Food Bucks will contribute to improving the health outcomes of Second Ward residents,” said Newman.

I think it’s fair to say we all agree with Newman.

Stew Leonard’s founder dies

Independent East Coast grocery retailer Stew Leonard’s announced on Thursday that its founder, 93-year-old Stew Leonard, Sr., died Wednesday in New York following a brief illness. Leonard is best remembered for standing at Stew Leonard’s front door to greet customers, oftentimes by name. What a way to be remembered.

Brunch for moms in crisis

This week’s shoutout that deserves the hashtag #KindessCostsNothing goes to Kitchen & Market, a local grocery store and purveyor of restaurant-quality meal kits, for its Mother’s Day benefit for Mary’s Place. The Washington-based grocer, with three locations throughout the state, will donate 100% of its Mother’s Day Brunch Kits to Mary's Place, an organization that helps moms in crisis thorough its shelter in Seattle.

“Offering a delicious brunch to pamper mom is a no-brainer for me, but so is helping the community of mothers in our area,” Kitchen & Market Founder and CEO Stephanie King said in a statement. “That's why we’re now on year four of contributing 100% of proceeds from our brunch kits to Mary's Place, which helps families experiencing crises remain in their homes, and funds emergency family shelters.”

‍Thanks for reading The Local Checkout. Got an indie grocery story or news item you think I missed? Email [email protected]