The Rural Grocery Store Summit was held on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at the Kansas Sampler Center near Inman. About 90 people attended. The main organizer of this event was K-State's Center for Engagement and Community Development. It was attended by small grocery store owners, representatives from cities who want stores, distributors and re-distributors, and rural advocate agencies.

Common issues were discussed and a steering committee was formed to take the
issues forward. To keep up-to-date on the progress or to find support, go to
www.ruralgrocery.org and sign up for the Grocer's Forum.

MANHATTAN - Continuing a mission to preserve and even restore small towns' vitality, the Center for Engagement and Community Development at Kansas State University has organized a summit for owners of rural grocery stores.

"We expect to hear from owners and others about the challenges they face, as well as how they've addressed them," said David Procter, Center director. The summit also is an opportunity for elected officials, economic development workers, food distributors and university researchers to meet face to face and exchange ideas.

The June 1 event in Inman grew out of the surveys and in-depth interviews the center has completed as part of its Rural Grocery Store Initiative. USDA Rural Development, the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development, and the Kansas Sampler Foundation in Inman are cooperating on the project.

The center has been working closely with stores in five Kansas towns, Procter said: Alma, Florence, Gove, Onaga and Potwin. The surveys and interviews, which are still being analyzed, reveal common concerns about growing distribution fees, shrinking sales and commuting customers. But such "best practices" as support for local sports teams and deliveries to older residents could be adopted in other towns, Procter suggested.

Sharing those workable ideas is a big part of the summit. (Registration for the free event must be completed by May 15; visit  http://www.ruralgrocery.org/events.   Organizers also hope to hear about what rural store owners need in the way of resources.

"This is where K-State can be a real asset," Procter said. Whether the need is for business plans, analysis of transportation options or the feasibility of buying equipment like a refrigerated truck to serve a group of stores, "We have a tremendous range of expertise on campus, and our faculty and staff are eager to reach out.

"We have had what we feel is a very good response" to the grocery store endeavor, Procter said, in Kansas and beyond. "We just get these e-mails and phone calls from out of the blue," from states as diverse as Maine and Arizona. "This project has generated a lot of passion, a lot of emotion."

Contact Dave Procter at 785.532.6868, dprocter@k-state.edu

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In 2001, there were about 120 independently-owned grocery stores in the state with 1-4 employees and over 200 with 5-9 employees. Since that time, many of those stores have had to close.

Most of these stores struggle to survive and work incredibly hard just to keep the doors open in small towns. Unfortunately, many of these stores don't make it. What can be done? We need them in our small towns.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

 

On April 22, 2001 over 60 grocery store owners, suppliers, wholesalers, mayors, and a Small Business Development representative packed the Kansas Sampler Center to share common issues and swap ideas. Most of the towns represented had a population of less than 700.

It was a rousing three-hour session covering a myriad of topics from public awareness to cooperative efforts between stores. This was the first time small grocers had the chance to come together to encourage each other, ask questions of each other, and share successful efforts. Several representatives from towns wanting to have a grocery store were in attendance.

 

THE STRUGGLE OF GROCERY STORES

 

• Do you know that grocery stores need to buy approximately $10,O00 worth of inventory every week from their grocery store supplier for the wholesale truck to even stop at their store? One store reports that if they buy less than $10,000 per week they have to pay an additional two percent.
  
  One solution that has taken root in some parts of the state is for one store to deliver to other small stores, providing a way for each of them to stay alive.
  
  
• Some small stores can't get product delivered because of their location and relatively small order.
  
  
• The small stores cannot compete with the chain stores that get quantity discounts.
  
  
• Though townspeople are really glad for the convenience of a local store, they don't all support it to the extent that will make for a profitable business.

Country Junction, aka Lizards Lips Grill and Deli, was chosen to be part of a pilot project to prove the point that lots of little money can make a BIG difference to a small business.

We were looking for 1,000 people to spend $5 by the end of May of 2001 at this convenience store/ bait shop/ grill and deli in Woodson County at the intersection of U.S. 54 and K-105 north of Toronto.

That goal was reached due to support from Kansas Explorer Club members and media interest which resulted in general public involvement.

Not only has Lizard Lips benefited from the extra business but the campaign has improved their area trade base and the feedback from people coming in to spend their $5 has provided an energy boost. Word of mouth has brought in even more customers to their store and the area.

Those who have come in to spend the $5 can know they have contributed to helping a store survive. In exchange, they received an authentic experience!

It's true that lots of little money can make a big difference in locally-owned businesses in small towns. Explorers, go out and feel good about spending money in small towns - even a couple of dollars at a time!