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 and 41 states to identify and accelerate solutions that strengthen grocery retail and expand access to affordable, nutritious food in underserved communities.
The Summit focused on a central question: How do we scale what works in underserved rural and urban communities? Rather than dwelling on barriers, discussions highlighted proven approaches already delivering results. These included community-rooted grocery stores, innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, procurement strategies, and policy solutions that support long-term sustainability. Sessions examined the full ecosystem supporting successful grocery retail, including operating strategies for community grocers, building capital stacks for 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 data-driven local decision-making.
Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, Founder and CEO of FSFI, noted, "Across the country, communities are demonstrating that there are effective ways to improve access to affordable, nutritious food while supporting strong local businesses. This Summit brought together the people building those solutions so that we can learn from one another, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress." Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs added, "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."
The Summit concluded with the Grocery Retail Resilience & Innovation Award Ceremony, recognizing organizations advancing innovative approaches. Oasis Fresh Market received the $50,000 award, while The Mildred Store, Kanbe's Markets, Food Club Network, Saba Grocers Initiative, and DC Central Kitchen each received $10,000 awards for their contributions to community-centered food access and grocery innovation.
The 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, and Dion's Chicago Dream. Building on this momentum, FSFI will continue working with partners to share promising practices, foster new collaborations, and advance solutions that strengthen grocery retail and improve access to nutritious food.
The implications of this announcement are significant: it signals a coordinated national effort to move from identifying problems to scaling proven solutions. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and recognizing successful models, the Summit aims to catalyze investment, policy change, and replication of effective grocery retail strategies in underserved areas. This could lead to improved health outcomes, economic development, and greater food equity across the United States.
