Giving Compass' Take:

• This conversation hosted by The Aspen Institute offers perspectives from leaders working to improve job quality and equity for food retail workers. 

• How can funders play a role in improving the lives of food retail workers? What will be the role of automation in changing the jobs of food retail workers? 

• Learn how community members in Oakland worked to end their food desert. 

Food retailers play an important role in communities, serving as major employers and anchor institutions. But local chains are facing challenges from market consolidation, new competitors, and new technologies that threaten to alter business operations and replace workers. Some stores are finding ways to differentiate and improve business performance by investing in workers – which helps them create exceptional customer service and cater to local communities. Research by the National Grocers Association, the trade association for independent supermarkets,   indicates that more than 80 percent of consumers still prefer their local store to an online alternative, and they value local, quality items and friendly staff.

This event will explore how grocers can succeed – and can advance economic and racial equity – by investing in workers. Bringing together food access advocates, food retail leaders, and workforce development experts, we will discuss what consumers, business owners, and policymakers can do to encourage good working conditions for the people behind our groceries.

Read the full article about the conversation job quality and equity in food retail between Congressman Dwight Evans, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Scott Emerick, Yael Lehmann, and Sailu Timbo moderated by Eric Kessler at The Aspen Institute.