The event is TODAY (11/11) from 6pm-7pm ET over Zoom. We’ll also host a watch party in the CAFS conference room (with snacks!). We share this because it’s an interesting and pressing issue in the food law and policy arena AND it’s organized by none other than Julia Wickham and Nicole Renna!
Overview: This virtual panel will explore the challenges faced by rural grocers and the impact of consolidation on food security in their communities. By 2023, just four grocery chains control nearly 70% of the market, a sharp increase from 42% in 2000. At the same time, family grocery bills have risen by 25% since the pandemic. The rapid expansion of dollar stores in rural areas, has further strained independent grocers, who are 5% more likely to close when a dollar store opens nearby. With grocery price gouging spotlighted in Vice President Harris’ economic plan, the recent FTC trial to block the Kroger-Albertson’s merger, and reports from institutions like the University of Chicago highlighting disparities in food access, this is a timely and urgent discussion. Join us as we delve into the forces shaping food availability and affordability in rural America.
Who are our panelists?
- Justin Stofferahn – Antimonopoly Director, Minnesota Farmers Union
- Ron Knox – Senior Researcher, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
- Liz Mashie – Corporate Compliance Director, Walmart
- Moderated by: Alex Spring – Vermont Assistant Attorney General
See below for the flyer and a detailed description of the event.
Hope to see you there!
