Thank you for attending the Pay-What-You-Can Grocery Store conversation on November 20! We talked with Forge City Works Executive Director Ben Dubow and Rolling Grocer 19 Head Buyer Selha Graham about their planned and active sliding scale grocery stores. Forge City Works is a nonprofit that will launch the Grocery on Broad, a means-tested sliding scale grocery store, in early 2024. This initiative aims to address food access challenges and provide affordable, wholesome food to people regardless of income in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford, CT. Rolling Grocer 19 in Hudson, NY, represents a community-driven response to the immediate challenges of food and economic insecurity in Columbia County. Their Fair Pricing System ensures that quality food is accessible to everyone, regardless of their income level. Rolling Grocer 19 also prioritizes sourcing from local farmers and distributors in the Hudson Valley area.
Ben and Selha both emphasized the importance of community engagement in developing their models. Funding and economic viability are crucial aspects of these initiatives. While grants and fundraising support the initial viability of the sliding scale model, Rolling Grocer 19 and the Grocery on Broad also strive to strike a balance between full-price and discounted purchases to ensure long-term sustainability. Philanthropic support and community fundraising play a significant role in bridging the gap between the profit-driven commodity food system and the nonprofit emergency food distribution system. Dignity, choice, and sustainability are core values in these endeavors. Both Forge City Works and Rolling Grocer 19 prioritize paying farmers fairly, supporting local businesses, and paying living wages to staff. These organizations exemplify innovative approaches to address food access challenges in diverse communities. Through community engagement, partnerships, and a commitment to equity and sustainability, these initiatives are making a positive impact on food systems and improving the lives of individuals and families facing food insecurity.
