Midwest
Grocery Access Across the Midwest
Across the Midwest, communities are seeing changes in where and how residents shop for groceries. When a neighborhood supermarket closes, the next closest full-service grocery store may be miles away — creating a much greater challenge for residents without reliable transportation.
From large metropolitan neighborhoods to smaller cities and towns, access to fresh, affordable food can vary dramatically from one community to the next.
We want to hear directly from Midwestern residents about where grocery options are disappearing, where gaps already exist, and which communities are ready for something better.
Every Midwest Community Has a Story
A grocery store is more than another business in a neighborhood.
It is where families buy food for the week, seniors pick up everyday necessities, neighbors find fresh produce, and local residents find employment. When that store disappears, the impact can spread throughout the entire community.
For some residents, a closure means driving a few extra miles. For others, it can mean depending on public transportation, paying for rides, making several stops, or relying on stores that do not offer the same selection of fresh and affordable food.
Those experiences matter.
By hearing directly from residents throughout the Midwest, we can identify communities that are being overlooked and help demonstrate where better grocery access is needed.
Tell Us What Is Happening in Your Community
Has a grocery store closed in your neighborhood?
Do you have to leave your community to buy groceries?
Are residents relying on convenience stores, dollar stores, or other locations with limited fresh-food options?
Is there an empty supermarket, shopping center, or commercial property that could potentially serve the community again?
Tell us about it.
The information residents provide can help us identify areas where there is both a need for better grocery access and a community ready to support it.