Case Study
Keeping Rural Grocery Stores Alive with SNAP & Senior Meal Solutions
Client Profile
A rural town’s government seeking to prevent the closure of its last independently owned grocery store, essential to seniors and low-income families.
Introduction
In small rural towns, a local grocery store is more than just a place to buy food - it’s a lifeline for the community. When the last independently owned grocery store in one such town faced closure, the local government and community leaders realized the devastating impact it would have on seniors, low-income families, and those without reliable transportation. Without intervention, residents would be left with few affordable options for fresh, healthy food. Harvey & Smith Impact worked closely with local stakeholders to craft a sustainable solution that would keep the store open and ensure food access for those most in need.
Challenges
Impending Closure: Rising costs and declining foot traffic threatened the only accessible grocery store.
Food Insecurity: Seniors and low-income families lacked transportation to stores in neighboring towns.
Limited Funding: The town had no dedicated resources for food access programs.
The Solution & Impact
Harvey & Smith Impact worked with local officials, nonprofits, and business leaders to develop a solution that preserved the grocery store and improved food access for the community:
Preventing Store Closure & Protecting Jobs: Secured $120,000 in grants, allowing the store to remain open and retain 12 jobs.
Expanding Food Access for Vulnerable Residents: Developed a SNAP-friendly grocery delivery service and partnered with local organizations to subsidize costs, increasing accessibility for seniors and low-income families.
Creating a Sustainable Food Program: Designed a meal subscription model, blending grant funding with long-term revenue streams to support food access beyond the initial investment.
Increasing Community Support & Participation: Facilitated outreach efforts that boosted SNAP enrollment and meal deliveries, ensuring more residents could afford fresh, healthy food.
Building a Scalable Model: Established a framework for rural grocery stability that other small towns can adapt.
Our Approach
Community Assessment: Conducted a needs assessment to understand economic and logistical challenges facing the grocery store and its residents.
Multi-Source Funding Strategy: Secured $120,000 in grants by leveraging federal, state, and foundation resources for food access initiatives.
Strategic Partnerships: Facilitated collaborations between the grocery store, local farmers, nonprofits, and community groups to enhance food accessibility.
SNAP & Senior Meal Program Expansion: Worked with store management to streamline SNAP enrollment and implement a senior meal delivery service to increase revenue and customer retention.
Sustainable Business Model: Structured a long-term financial plan incorporating a meal subscription service and community-driven fundraising efforts for continued success.
