National Grocery Retail Summit Highlights Scalable Solutions for Food Access in Underserved Communities

The Food Systems for the Future Institute (FSFI), with Chef José Andrés serving as Honorary Co-Host, convened the 2026 Grocery Retail for All Summit on June 18 at the University of Illinois Chicago. The national gathering brought together more than 200 attendees representing 186 organizations from 41 states to focus on identifying, elevating, and accelerating solutions that strengthen grocery retail and expand access to affordable, nutritious food in underserved communities.

The Summit brought together grocery operators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, healthcare leaders, researchers, philanthropies, and community advocates to share proven models, innovative partnerships, and practical strategies. Throughout the day, participants explored a central question: How do we scale what works in underserved rural and urban communities? Rather than focusing on barriers, Summit discussions highlighted proven approaches already delivering results—from community-rooted grocery stores and innovative financing models to public-private partnerships, procurement strategies, and policy solutions that support long-term sustainability and growth.

"Across the country, communities are demonstrating that there are effective ways to improve access to affordable, nutritious food while supporting strong local businesses," said Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, Founder and CEO of the Food Systems for the Future Institute. "This Summit brought together the people building those solutions so that we can learn from one another, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress."

Sessions examined the full ecosystem that supports successful grocery retail. Discussions explored operating strategies used by community grocers, approaches to building capital stacks for community food enterprises, policies that improve business viability, tools to reduce waste and protect margins, innovative procurement and distribution models, the role of SNAP in the retail environment, and the use of data to guide local decision-making.

"Today's challenge is not to imagine what is possible. It is to determine how we work together to scale what works. When we do, we strengthen businesses, improve health outcomes, create jobs, and build stronger communities," said Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

The Summit concluded with the Grocery Retail Resilience & Innovation Award Ceremony, recognizing organizations advancing innovative approaches to strengthening grocery retail and expanding access to nutritious food in underserved communities. The 2026 honorees included Oasis Fresh Market, recipient of the $50,000 award, and The Mildred Store, Kanbe's Markets, Food Club Network, Saba Grocers Initiative, and DC Central Kitchen, each receiving $10,000 awards.

The Grocery Retail for All Summit was convened in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago, the Global Food Institute at George Washington University, the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic at Harvard Law School, The Food Trust, WANDA (Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics and Agriculture), and Dion's Chicago Dream. Building on the momentum generated in Chicago, FSFI will continue working with partners to share promising practices, foster new collaborations, and advance solutions that help communities strengthen grocery retail and improve access to nutritious food.