Rachael Dombrowski, assistant professor of Community Health in the College of Education, quoted in Crain’s Detroit Business and on WXYZ-TV, WJBK Fox 2, “Great Grocer Project aims to help independently owned grocery stores in Detroit”
WXYZ-TV, WJBK Fox 2, 3/11
Great Grocer Project aims to help independently owned grocery stores in Detroit
The Great Grocer Project, a community-based program to strengthen relationships between independently owned grocery stores and their customers in Detroit, launched on Wednesday. The program is a joint initiative by Wayne State University, the Detroit Food Policy Council and members of the Detroit Grocery Coalition, according to a press release. It also aims to provide support to increase awareness and sales of healthy foods within Detroit neighborhood. Detroit has nearly 70 full-service grocery stores, almost all of which are family or independently owned. The Great Grocer Project will train and host fellows in seven community-based organizations, which will then adopt a grocery store in each of Detroit's districts. Fellows will work with store owners to help them better compete with big-box grocery stores by improving their relationships with customers and conducting food and nutrition assessments.
Crain’s Detroit Business, 3/11
Great Grocer Project aims to support independent grocers, healthy food options in Detroit
By Jay Davis
A new effort aims to strengthen the relationships between Detroiters and independently owned grocery stores while promoting healthy food access in the city. The Great Grocer Project, a partnership between Wayne State University, the Detroit Food Policy Council and members of the Detroit Grocery Coalition, was unveiled Thursday. The community-based program will also work to foster economic vitality in Detroit neighborhoods, according to a Wayne State news release. In 2018, a group of Wayne State fellows and staff completed assessments of more than 70 independent grocers in Detroit, excluding chains such as Meijer, Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods and Aldi. Customer surveys and interviews with 52 grocery store managers and owners were also considered. Of those stores, 25 were rated highest in terms of availability and quality of healthy foods, pricing, customer service and safety, and community involvement. The Great Grocer Project will give the stores funding to help better promote them in the communities they serve, along with money for upgrades, according to Wayne State assistant professor Rachael Dombrowski. "We're proud that all of these stores are doing great work promoting healthy food availability and affordability at stores throughout the city," Dombrowski said. WSU in September received a $375,000 grant from the USDA to fund the project, with the money spread out over three years. The funds go toward stipends for staff and data collection in stores. There's also money for community organizations to help promote the stores, according to Dombrowski. Improvements in some stores include the purchase of shelving and other equipment to construct a "healthy foods" section, and to make existing produce sections more appealing.