By Andi Anderson
Independent grocery store owners and managers across Illinois will have an opportunity to learn new business strategies and connect with industry experts at the second annual Independent Grocer Summit.
The event is being organized by the Southern Illinois Food Access Initiative, a program of Illinois Extension, and will take place on October 7, 2026, at John A. Logan College.
The annual summit was created to bring together independent grocery retailers and food access organizations to discuss important issues affecting the grocery industry.
The initiative also seeks to address the growing challenge of grocery store closures in rural communities, a problem that contributes to the expansion of food deserts and limits access to fresh and healthy food.
This year’s theme, “Maximizing Profitability,” focuses on helping local grocery stores remain successful in a highly competitive retail environment. Independent stores often face strong competition from large national and regional chains. As a result, the summit will provide practical tools, ideas, and resources that can help local businesses improve efficiency and increase revenue.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend a variety of educational sessions throughout the day. Topics will include the use of artificial intelligence tools to improve business operations, digital marketing through social media platforms, and local aggregation projects that support regional food sourcing. The program will also explore emerging opportunities related to “food as medicine” prescriptions, an approach that connects food and health to improve community well-being.
According to Event Organizer John Shadowens, the summit provides an important opportunity for independent grocery retailers to connect with others facing similar challenges. He says, “Unfortunately, local grocery store owners can feel alone and isolated in their work. This summit is a rare chance for them to get together to network and explore ideas that might help them remain competitive and viable.”
The event will begin at 9 a.m. in Building F at the John A. Logan Conference Center. Grocery store owners, managers, and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Registration costs $25 per person and includes lunch, making it an affordable learning and networking opportunity for participants.
Following the summit, community members will also have a chance to engage in a public discussion about food access issues. A free listening session on the impact of SNAP-Ed funding cuts in Illinois will begin at 2:30 p.m. The session will be hosted by Alizah Harper from University of Illinois Extension and will welcome public participation.
The Independent Grocer Summit highlights the importance of supporting locally owned grocery stores and strengthening food access networks. Through education, collaboration, and innovation, the event aims to help independent retailers build sustainable businesses while continuing to serve their communities. Registration for the summit is currently open through the official event website.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Illinois, Business