Small-town grocery stores are the heart of rural communities, yet many struggle with competition from larger chain stores, a shrinking customer base, and changing customer demands for fresh produce and greater variety.
The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) support rural grocery stores affected by these issues through a number of resources and projects throughout Minnesota.
Upcoming webinars
This webinar series will return in July 2026.
Resources and strategies for rural grocery stores
Shelf Life is a free webinar series from University of Minnesota Extension designed to support the long-term viability and success of rural grocery stores.
In Season 2, we will focus on:
Practical management strategies
Operational efficiency
Community engagement
Emerging tools that can help rural grocery operators strengthen their businesses.
Sessions feature industry experts, Extension educators, and grocery leaders sharing real-world experiences, resources, and strategies that stores can implement immediately.
Schedule
Each session is held virtually from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and includes a presentation followed by audience questions and discussion.
Host and partners
This webinar is facilitated by Zachary Paige. Zachary leads rural grocery initiatives for University of Minnesota Extension and works with grocery stores across Minnesota on business viability, technical assistance, workforce development, energy efficiency, local food systems, and community partnerships.
The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP), with support from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, provides technical assistance to rural grocery stores in Greater Minnesota through the Good Food Access Program (GFAP).