For most of us, the holiday season brings to mind favorite food traditions, from stuffed turkeys to applesauce-laden latkes. Shoppers may make sure that their poultry is free range or their apples organic, but when we head to the supermarket to pick out groceries for holiday meals, how often do we consider the frontline retail workers who shape our shopping experience?
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 explores 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 discuss what consumers, business owners, and policymakers can do to encourage good working conditions for the people behind our groceries.
This event features Congressman Dwight Evans (US Representative for Pennsylvania’s Second District), Claire Babineaux-Fontenot (CEO, Feeding America), Scott Emerick (Executive Director, YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School), Yael Lehmann (President & CEO, The Food Trust), Sailu Timbo (Director of Diversity, Hy-vee), and moderator Eric Kessler (Founder, Principal, and Senior Managing Director, Arabella Advisors).
This event is part of the Working in America series, an ongoing discussion series hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program that highlights an array of critical issues affecting low- and moderate-income workers in the United States and ideas for improving and expanding economic opportunities for working people. For more information, visit as.pn/workinginamerica.
The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity. Learn more at as.pn/eop.