Rural Grocery Initiative

Rural Grocery Initiative RGI aims to sustain locally-owned rural groceries to enhance community vitality & access to healthy food.

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Did you know we have four pre-conference tours ahead of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit? Thank you to our tour sp...
04/22/2026

Did you know we have four pre-conference tours ahead of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit? Thank you to our tour sponsors, West Central Initiative and UNFI, and to all of our tour host sites!

You can learn more about the tours here: https://ruralgrocery.org/summit/tours.html. Space is limited so be sure to sign up today if you'd like to add a tour to your Summit registration!

  to some of our previous National Rural Grocery Summits over the years, starting with our inaugural Rural Grocery Summi...
04/16/2026

to some of our previous National Rural Grocery Summits over the years, starting with our inaugural Rural Grocery Summit in Inman, KS in 2008! Do you recognize some of the faces pictured here?

We'd love to have you in the room with us when we gather for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit in Fargo in less than three weeks! There is still time to get registered here: https://www.ruralgrocery.org/summit/register/

Thank you to these gold level sponsors of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit that are supporting our mission to help...
04/10/2026

Thank you to these gold level sponsors of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit that are supporting our mission to help sustain locally-owned rural grocery stores across the nation! Stop by their booths at our exhibitor fair to thank them for their support and learn more about their work.

⭐ CoBank
⭐ Great River Energy
⭐ INFRA
⭐ North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives Foundation
⭐ University of Minnesota Extension

We are excited to make our final keynote announcement for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit! 🌟 In recent years, sta...
04/09/2026

We are excited to make our final keynote announcement for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit! 🌟 In recent years, state legislatures have shown growing interest in supporting rural grocery stores through policy. In 2023, Illinois allocated $20 million for grants and technical assistance for independent grocers, while North Dakota’s Legislative Assembly established the Rural Grocery Store Sustainability Grant Program to assist small-town stores. Both efforts were the result of years of relationship-building, data collection, and clear communication. More recently, in neighboring states of Iowa and Nebraska, the Center for Rural Affairs has spearheaded legislatives efforts to support rural grocery stores in both states. This keynote panel will explore the strategy behind this work - from identifying legislative champions to drafting effective policy language and navigating the legislative process.

Speakers from the Center for Rural Affairs:
🌟 Audra Espinoza, Senior State Policy Manager
🌟 Cynthia Farmer, Iowa Policy Manager
🌟 Carlie Jonas, Nebraska Policy Associate
🌟 Deborah Solie, Senior Project Associate - Moderator

Learn more about the speakers here: https://www.ruralgrocery.org/summit/speakers.html

Each month, our team highlights a rural grocery store. This month, we are excited to highlight Selden Grocery, a store w...
04/01/2026

Each month, our team highlights a rural grocery store. This month, we are excited to highlight Selden Grocery, a store which serves a rural Kansas community of just 288 people! The store transitioned to new ownership in 2024. Read highlights from our interview with the new owner conducted after we visited the store to learn more about the challenges of rural grocery and how rural grocery store owners can work together to combat some of those challenges: https://www.ruralgrocery.org/learn/rural-grocery-spotlight/selden-grocery.html

Thank you to these silver level sponsors of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit that are supporting our mission to he...
03/31/2026

Thank you to these silver level sponsors of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit that are supporting our mission to help sustain locally-owned rural grocery stores across the nation! Stop by their booths at our exhibitor fair to thank them for their support and learn more about their work.

We are excited to announce our next keynote for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit! 🌟 Across the country, 2.9 millio...
03/27/2026

We are excited to announce our next keynote for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit! 🌟 Across the country, 2.9 million businesses are operated by individuals at or near retirement age, signaling a significant shift in business ownership on the horizon. Rural grocery stores are no exception. Grocers in these communities face distinct and complex challenges as they plan to exit their business and ensure their towns retain a vibrant, locally owned store. This keynote panel will lift up three rural grocers who are actively integrating transition planning into the successful operation of their store, offering practical insights on how to prepare the future while sustaining the store today.

Panelists:
🌟 Regena Lance, Mildred Store, Mildred, KS
🌟 DuWayne Ditterich, Ditterich Mercantile and Family Farm, Vergas, MN
🌟 Pat Tracy, Tracy's Market, Maddock, ND
🌟 Carly Whorton, Grocery Consultant and Transition Coach, Holton, KS

Learn more about the speakers here: https://www.ruralgrocery.org/summit/speakers.html

Check out this article featuring an interview with our Program Director Rial Carver to hear about highlights of the upco...
03/23/2026

Check out this article featuring an interview with our Program Director Rial Carver to hear about highlights of the upcoming National Rural Grocery Summit!

The National Rural Grocery Summit brings together community leaders and grocers on May 5-7 in Fargo to share valuable insights.

03/09/2026

🚨 The early bird registration deadline is almost here for the National Rural Grocery Summit! If you're planning on joining us in Fargo, you will want to register by March 15th here: https://www.ruralgrocery.org/summit/register/

Thank you to these bronze level sponsors of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit that are supporting our mission to he...
03/05/2026

Thank you to these bronze level sponsors of the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit that are supporting our mission to help sustain locally-owned rural grocery stores across the nation! Look out for representatives from these organizations at the Summit.

⭐ ECRS
⭐ Minnesota Department of Agriculture
⭐ North Dakota Dept. of Commerce
⭐ NDSU Extension
⭐ The Food Trust
⭐ U of MN Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
⭐ Upstream Strategies

🚨 Don't forget to register soon for the National Rural Grocery Summit! Early bird rates end March 15th. Register here: h...
03/04/2026

🚨 Don't forget to register soon for the National Rural Grocery Summit! Early bird rates end March 15th. Register here: https://www.ruralgrocery.org/summit/register/

The Rural Grocery Initiative is excited to co-host the 2026 Summit with two organizations that have a long history of supporting rural grocers in their states: the U of MN Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and the NDAREC.

This year's Summit includes four tours to innovative grocery stores in Minnesota and North Dakota, over 25 breakout sessions, countless opportunities for networking, learning and more! 🌟

Our team is excited to be participating in this webinar to share about the role of grocers in Food is Medicine. Register...
03/04/2026

Our team is excited to be participating in this webinar to share about the role of grocers in Food is Medicine. Register at the link below to listen in on March 18th!

Save the Date! Join us for the next webinar in our Foundations of Food is Medicine Learning Series.

Role of Producers, Processors & Grocers in Food is Medicine

This session will explore the role of producers, processors, and grocery retailers in advancing Food is Medicine in Kansas. We'll highlight how partnerships across the food supply chain and healthcare sector have the potential to strengthen rural grocery infrastructure and local growers while also expanding access to healthy foods in our communities.

Time: 1 p.m. CT
Date: March 18
Register: https://bit.ly/4rh1C9a

Address

Manhattan, KS
66506

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(785) 532-6868

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