CARTERVILLE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois Food Access Initiative, a program of Illinois Extension, is hosting the second annual Independent Grocer Summit at John A. Logan College on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. This annual event pulls together independent grocery store owners and managers with allied food access partners to talk about emerging issues in the grocery business. The summit began as a way to help reduce the trend of rural grocery closures that contribute to the growing food desert crisis in our region.
This year’s theme is “Maximizing Profitability,” with the morning sessions devoted to giving local stores tools and ideas to stay competitive in a food retail market dominated by large chains. Other content will include sessions on using AI tools for efficiency, digital marketing through social media, local aggregation projects for regional food sourcing, and emerging opportunities through “food as medicine” prescriptions.
Event organizer John Shadowens 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 program begins at 9 a.m. in Building F at the John A. Logan Conference Center. Attendance is $25 per registrant, which includes lunch. Following the summit’s conclusion, the general public is invited to participate in a free listening session on the impact of SNAP-Ed cuts in Illinois, hosted by Alizah Harper from University of Illinois Extension, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Registration is open now at go.illinois.edu/grocersummit26.
WRITER: John Shadowens, CED Extension educator, johnms@illinois.edu
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.