Dundee Fresh Grocery's story recently got covered in two newspapers: The Finger Lakes Times and The Chronicle Express! Below, you can read the full story.
Dundee Fresh Grocery announces plans for store
by Gwen Chamberlain
DUNDEE — Dundee Fresh Grocery, Inc. is finalizing plans for a non-profit grocery store to be located in the village of Dundee. Alice Shoemaker, president of the charitable organization, said a three-year grant of $560,099 from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation will allow the organization to fulfill its mission to provide access to fresh and wholesome foods to support the health of the community.
While there are still details to work out, the group is hoping to open the store by early 2025.
The organization’s volunteer board has considered a few locations within the village and is working on a lease agreement they hope to finalize by October. The store will offer fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy items, frozen meats, and other kitchen staples such as pasta, tomato sauce, rice, and bread at reasonable prices. Plans also call for the inclusion of a coffee and tea counter and small cafe area, where people can purchase a beverage and bakery item.
The grant will provide funding to purchase equipment, stock shelves, and hire a full time manager and two half-time employees. Volunteers will be recruited to help staff the store that will be open to the general public with no eligibility requirements.
Shoemaker says the board is working on securing necessary permits and completing requirements for sales tax collection and reporting as well as participating in SNAP and WIC programs.
An important part of opening the store will be incorporating the needs and preferences of the customers, so suggestion boxes will be available at various locations around Dundee. People are encouraged to share their ideas about items they would like to see offered, and days and hours of operation, among other things.
The store will be just one of a handful of non-profit groceries in New York State. Others include Bargain Grocery in Utica and Greater Good Grocery in Binghamton.
Dundee Fresh Grocery was established to solve the problem of the lack of fresh produce, meats, poultry, and limited fresh dairy items available in the village of Dundee. While convenience and discount department stores offer some packaged and prepared foods, fresh produce has not been sold in the village since the Save A Lot grocery store closed.
Funding for this project was provided by Greater Rochester Health Foundation, whose
mission is to pursue and invest in solutions that build a healthier region where all people can thrive. Image published with permission by Greater Rochester Health Foundation.
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In 2023 Dundee Fresh Grocery began a free produce distribution for all residents of the Dundee Central School District which was highly successful, serving around 300 households per week for 8 weeks starting the last weekend in July. Using a grant from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, the group purchased fresh produce at the Finger Lakes Produce Auction, supporting local growers. The produce was then packaged for each household that had registered and then distributed at weekly events.
This year’s program is funded by the Yates Community Endowment at Rochester Area Community Foundation. Distributions began on Aug. 2 and 3 with 455 households registered. Each household received sweet corn, cantaloupe, cucumbers, zucchini, and green beans. The program will continue through September and will offer produce depending on what items are available at the auction each week.
Story published with permission by the author.
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