Browsing by Author "Jarvi, Monica"
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Item 2019-2020 Minnesota Rural Grocery Survey Report(2020-11-20) Olive, Ren; Draeger, Kathryn; Kim, Hye-Young; Hanawa Peterson, Hikaru; Jarvi, Monica; Park, Dojin; Jorgenson, AlmaRural grocery stores are anchor businesses in communities of 2,500 or fewer residents that provide a full range of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods. When rural grocery stores go out of business, they are generally difficult to reopen, impacting the well-being of the surrounding community. While working with communities across Greater Minnesota, the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) observed that the needs of rural grocery stores were not adequately identified and supported. To gain a deeper understanding about this sector, RSDP worked with the UMN Center for Survey Research to conduct a statewide survey of rural grocers between May and October 2019. This survey builds on a 2015 Rural Grocery Survey also administered by RSDP, and it was designed to better understand rural grocers’ business conditions and gather information on store characteristics, competition, locally grown food, business motivations, collaborative relationships, and infrastructure. The survey was mailed to 250 identified grocery stores in communities with 2,500 or fewer residents. Of that, 15 were determined to be ineligible due to closure or discontinuation of grocery service. Of the 235 eligible grocery stores, completed surveys were received from 129 for a response rate of 55%. The data collected is assembled into four key themes that emerged from the survey: 1) Stores as businesses and community anchors, 2) Competition for food dollars, 3) Grocering local food, and 4) Stores as food system innovators.Item Innovations in Cooperative and Small Grocery(University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, 2020-03) Jarvi, MonicaThis set of case studies is part of efforts by the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP), at the University of Minnesota Extension, to support rural food retailers as they struggle to survive in a challenging economic climate. New Ulm Community Market and Cooperative initiated this specific study as the new store is exploring options for growth. The objective of this study was to use interviews with small and cooperative food retailers to obtain a better understanding of the resources, strategies, tools, and techniques that support small food retailers in staying viable and sustainable. This final report provides details that allow food retailers to assess each set of practices for potential replicability.