Paul Stamets Speaks at UN on the Power of Mushroom Mycelium
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Nov. 12, 2025) — Internationally renowned mycologist Paul Stamets recently addressed a distinguished audience at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City as part of a global gathering highlighting transformative leaders advancing human and planetary health.*
Stamets' talk explored the powerful immune-supporting properties of Turkey Tail and Agarikon—two mushroom species with extensive research demonstrating their ability to bolster immune function. Drawing on decades of study and discovery, Stamets emphasized how the mycelium of these mushrooms holds profound potential for supporting both personal wellness and the health of our planet.*
"Speaking at the United Nations was truly an honor," Stamets said. "The immense potential of Agarikon and Turkey Tail mushroom mycelium to support immune function cannot be understated. The opportunity to share such remarkable findings in front of a global audience is a true testament to fungi's inextricable role as stalwart allies in the health of both people and planet."*
For 50 years, Stamets has devoted much of his work as a mycologist to researching and advocating for the essential function that fungi have as cultivators of life on this planet. As Founder, Member, and Owner of Fungi Perfecti, LLC, Makers of Host Defense® Mushrooms™, Stamets directs his company to reinvest $1 million annually into mycological research and discovery.*
Stamets' efforts include organizing clinical trials on the efficacy of mushroom mycelium to support human health and contributing to numerous peer-reviewed scientific journal articles in the field of mycology. As owner of Fungi Perfecti and Host Defense, he and his team have cultivated the world's largest Agarikon culture library in a pursuit to preserve the at-risk species.*
"No other company in the mushroom supplement space has contributed more to the field of mycology or fungi for ecological preservation than Fungi Perfecti," Stamets said. "I've ensured that our work has always been in service to science, sustainability, and discovery—this moment at the United Nations stands as a milestone of this lifelong mission."
About Fungi Perfecti, LLC—Makers of Host Defense® Mushrooms™
Fungi Perfecti, LLC is a family-owned company founded by internationally renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, who launched Host Defense Mushrooms under Fungi Perfecti with the goal of building a bridge between people and fungi. Host Defense is now a leading mushroom supplement brand in the U.S., specializing in mushroom mycelium-based supplements designed to support human health. Its product line reflects the company's commitment to sustainability, scientific integrity, research, and education.*
Fungi Perfecti has become synonymous with cutting-edge mycological research and solutions—from water filtration (mycofiltration) and ecological rehabilitation (mycoremediation) to combating Colony Collapse Disorder in bees. A Certified B Corporation, Fungi Perfecti is third-party designated as Climate Positive, offsetting 110% of its carbon emissions, and is a certified Leading Living Wage Employer. Follow Host Defense and Fungi Perfecti on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Can Trump’s Support Move the Needle on CBD?
Could President Donald Trump's recent endorsement of hemp-derived CBD products provide new momentum for an industry that has struggled in recent years under a patchwork of inconsistent state and federal regulations?
This article first appeared in the November 2025 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
In what industry observers have called a surprise move, on Sept. 28, President Donald Trump posted a video on his Truth Social platform promoting the health benefits of cannabinoids, suggesting that covering hemp-derived CBD under Medicare would be a “game changer” and “the most important senior health initiative of the century.” At a time when some members of Congress are pushing for policy changes that could upend the CBD market, Trump’s implied endorsement of CBD is remarkable.
Trump’s post supporting Medicare coverage for CBD products sparked a 36% rise in publicly traded cannabis stocks in the weeks that followed, Yahoo Finance reported. The post also raised hopes that the White House might take a more permissive approach to marijuana regulation following Trump’s statement in August that his administration was exploring a potential reclassification of marijuana — an effort originally proposed under the Biden administration. Removing cannabis from its Schedule I status would mean the federal government acknowledges the plant’s medicinal value.
“I’ve heard great things having to do with medical, and I’ve [heard] bad things having to do with just about everything else,” Trump said during an Aug. 11 White House press conference. “But medical and for pain and various things, I’ve heard some pretty good things.”
The video Trump shared was produced by The Commonwealth Project, an organization dedicated to improving health and longevity for older Americans. It was founded by Howard Kessler, a billionaire and philanthropist with ties to the CBD industry and a longtime friend of Trump’s. According to Independent Voter News, Kessler believes “that medical cannabis could be harnessed to not only provide older Americans with an alternative to traditional prescription painkillers but to reduce soaring health care costs saddling millions of seniors.”
In the video promoted on Truth Social, CBD was described as a way to "revolutionize senior healthcare" by helping reduce disease progression. The narration claimed CBD could help “restore” the body’s endocannabinoid system and ease pain, improve sleep and reduce stress in older adults. It also cited a Fox News segment referencing a Price Waterhouse Coopers report that estimated potential cost savings of “$64 billion a year if cannabis is fully integrated into the healthcare system.”
A Boston- and Palm Beach, Florida-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, Kessler founded Kessler Financial Services, which helped pioneer affinity credit cards. He later obtained one of Massachusetts’ first medical marijuana licenses in 2014, and became the state’s first recreational seller before his company was acquired by a Georgia cannabis firm in 2019. In June 2024, Kessler appeared on Fox News to discuss his efforts to integrate medical cannabis into traditional health care for seniors.
Regulatory Confusion Hinders CBD Market
Regulations around the commercial use of hemp and CBD were significantly eased across the U.S. when industrial hemp was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill during Trump's first term. However, since its passage, a growing number of state-level battles and lawsuits have emerged regarding the definition of hemp, the “intoxicating hemp” loophole around hemp-derived Delta-8 THC, and the lack of consistent federal and state regulatory frameworks for the cultivation, manufacture, marketing and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD, according to national law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.
Trump’s implied endorsement of CBD comes as a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushes back against attempts to ban hemp-derived THC products, arguing that such action would “deal a fatal blow” to the hemp industry and violate congressional rules. In a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Sept. 26, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and 26 other members warned that appropriations legislation containing hemp ban provisions would devastate the industry that emerged after hemp’s 2018 legalization.
A group of eight Democratic senators also sent a letter in September urging leadership to pursue regulation rather than prohibition, warning that banning products containing any amount of THC would trigger major upheaval in the hemp market. (Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is legally defined as containing no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.) Meanwhile, dozens of hemp farmers from Kentucky have urged Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to back away from efforts to re-criminalize certain hemp-derived products, Louisville Public Media reported.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul also warned that the cannabis policy movement has “swung hard on the prohibitionist side.” In June, he introduced the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act to counter potential restrictions, proposing to triple the amount of THC allowed in hemp while addressing several other regulatory challenges facing the industry.
For its part, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reaffirmed in January 2020 that it is unlawful to introduce food containing added CBD into interstate commerce, or to market CBD as, or in, dietary supplements. Now, according to Marijuana Moment, while Trump was endorsing CBD on Truth Social, the FDA quietly updated its adverse drug event reporting forms to track incidents related to hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD — part of an effort to gather more data on potential health effects associated with such products.
Hemp Industry Responds to President’s Support
In an Oct. 7 letter to President Trump, Jonathan Miller, legal counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, praised the president’s acknowledgment of hemp’s potential and urged him to oppose the proposed hemp ban:
"The recent video you shared about the extraordinary value of hemp products was important, raising awareness on the positive impact our American-grown and manufactured products have. Here at the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, our members are focused on giving Americans choices in improving their overall health and wellness ... but now we need your help! Congress is close to passing a hemp ban, reversing the work you led in 2018 to make hemp blossom. A proposed definition change to hemp, being touted as protecting Americans, would wipe out 95% of this uniquely American industry that you are so proud of,” Miller stated.
He continued: “A more effective way to protect American consumers and jobs would be to support and demand robust hemp regulation — age restrictions along with uniform testing, labeling, and packaging requirements. Outright prohibition is not the answer, nor would it make anyone safer. Banning legal hemp products that are already regulated at the state level will not protect consumers; it would only shift hemp to the black market and destroy a rising American industry in the process. ... A ban would put American farmers, American businesses, American consumers, our veterans, seniors, and more than 328,000 American workers at risk."
Miller added that "American voters are on your side on this issue. In Texas, a state with a rapidly growing hemp market, 76% of your voters and 78% of seniors favor legal, regulated hemp sales. In fact, more than 62% of Texans say they are more likely to support candidates who back the regulated sale of hemp-derived products."
Bottom line: Trump’s apparent support for CBD could mark a turning point for a sector long constrained by legal uncertainty. Whether the endorsement leads to meaningful policy change remains to be seen — but it has already reignited momentum, investment, and public discourse around hemp-derived wellness products in America’s fast-evolving natural health market.
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing, a strategic communications and brand development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more at www.compassnatural.com.
Roaring Fork Mill Unveils New Packaging for Regenerative Organic Certified® Flours
Colorado’s only Regenerative Organic Certified® mill inspires home bakers to elevate their holiday recipes with flavorful, heirloom grain flours.
CARBONDALE, Colo. (Oct. 28, 2025) — Roaring Fork Mill, Colorado’s only Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) stone mill, is rolling out a fresh new look for its line of heirloom grain flours — just in time for the holiday baking season. The family-owned Colorado mill is inviting home cooks to bake with purpose and flavor this holiday season.
Roaring Fork Mill’s flours are milled from 100% Colorado-grown, non-GMO grains cultivated by local farmers using regenerative organic practices that enrich the soil and protect biodiversity. Each flour, from White Sonora to Turkey Red and Purple Barley, tells a story of place and flavor, yielding breads, pies, pastries, and pastas that truly taste alive.
“Our heirloom flours have a depth of flavor that simply doesn’t exist in conventional flour,” said Jacob Trumbull, founder and head miller of Roaring Fork Mill. “Because these grains are grown in living soil and stone-milled fresh, they retain their natural oils and aromas, bringing a remarkable richness and texture to every bake. You can taste the difference.”
Chefs across Colorado agree. Chef Gabby Gawreluk of Tiny Pine Bistro uses Roaring Fork Mill flours in her celebrated kitchen.
“These flours are unlike anything else — they bring soul to a dish,” said Gawreluk. “When we bake with Roaring Fork Mill’s grains, the flavors are layered, earthy, and expressive. It’s Colorado terroir at its best.”
For holiday bakers, Roaring Fork Mill’s online shop makes it easier than ever to bring regenerative ingredients to the table. Whether it’s a rustic loaf, a flaky pie crust, or festive cookies, the mill’s freshly packaged flours make it simple to impress your family and guests with more flavorful, nourishing recipes.
For recipe inspiration, from dinner rolls to chocolate chip cookies, visit roaringforkmill.com. Roaring Fork Mill’s full line of Regenerative Organic Certified® flours is available for purchase online and through select retailers throughout Colorado.
About Roaring Fork Mill
Founded in 2022, Roaring Fork Mill is a family owned Regenerative Organic Certified® stone flour mill based in Carbondale, Colorado. Sourcing heirloom grains from local farmers using regenerative practices, the mill produces premium flours for home bakers, chefs, and food producers. Products are available online and for wholesale. Visit the website and follow Roaring Fork Mill on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
JAMBAR Accelerates Nationwide Growth Through Strategic Retail and Distribution Expansion
JAMBAR, Created by PowerBar® Co-Founder Jennifer Maxwell, Grows Mission-Driven Brand’s Presence in Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, and Natural Retailers Nationwide
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2025) - JAMBAR, the artisan-crafted organic energy bar company founded by Jennifer Maxwell, creator of the original PowerBar, is significantly expanding its retail footprint across the United States. Celebrating its fifth year in business, the company announced that its bars will be available in more than 200 new store locations this month. In addition, JAMBAR announced the growth of its distribution network.
The artisanal organic energy bars created by JAMBAR, which donates 50% of after-tax profits to active living and music education nonprofits, will now be available in major markets from the Midwest to New England and across the Mid-Atlantic.
New retail partners now stocking JAMBAR in their protein and energy bar sets include:
Jewel-Osco: 82 supermarket locations throughout the greater Chicago area, and
Shaw’s: 90 supermarkets across New England.
JAMBAR is also strengthening its presence in the specialty and natural products channel with new retail partners:
MOM’s Organic Market: Serving the Mid-Atlantic region with 27 stores focused on organic and climate-friendly foods, and
Buehler’s Fresh Foods: 15 employee-owned locations across Ohio.
“We’re thrilled to see JAMBAR reaching more communities across the country,” said Jennifer Maxwell, founder and CEO of JAMBAR. “From the California coast to New England, our mission has always been to make clean, convenient, organic nutrition accessible to people who care about what they eat, how they move, and how they give back. Each new retail partnership helps us share that mission and continue fueling active, vibrant lives.”
JAMBAR delivers great-tasting, nutrient-rich energy bars made with certified organic, whole-food ingredients. The bars are crafted with no seed oils or processed sugars and contain 10g of protein, serving as an easy-to-digest fuel source for athletes and active individuals. JAMBAR offers five distinct flavors, including gluten-free and plant-based options.
Distribution Expansion
The brand’s growth also extends to its wholesale distribution network. JAMBAR is now available through new key partners, including Palko (Indiana), Quality Foods Distributing (Montana and the Northern Rockies), and KeHE Distribution Centers in Aurora, Colorado, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This broadens JAMBAR’s reach to independent and natural retailers nationwide.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBAR organic energy bars are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in California. A woman-owned, mission-based business, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support active living and music. JAMBARs are available in sports specialty shops, natural foods and grocery stores, and online at Amazon.com. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
For wholesale inquiries, contact sales@jambar.com
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Fungi Perfecti LLC Earns Leading Living Wage Employer Certification
Host Defense® parent company ensures all employees receive a living wage
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Oct. 10, 2025) — Fungi Perfecti, LLC, makers of Host Defense® Mushrooms™, is proud to announce its official certification as a Leading Living Wage Employer by Living Wage For US. This prestigious designation affirms that every member of the company’s staff earns at or above the full family living wage for their location.
Last year, Fungi Perfecti partnered with Living Wage For US to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of its total compensation package—including base pay, company-sponsored medical benefits, 401(k) retirement plans and matching contributions, discretionary bonuses, and commission structures. The analysis confirmed that Fungi Perfecti’s compensation model meets and exceeds the living wage thresholds across all its positions.
“Paying a living wage is about dignity, equity, and integrity,” said Shanna Brown, VP of People at Fungi Perfecti. “We’re proud of this commitment.”
This recognition aligns with Fungi Perfecti’s longstanding ethos of supporting people, planet, and community through responsible business practices. In addition to offsetting 110% of its carbon footprint, operating as a Certified B Corporation, and reinvesting over $1 million annually into scientific research, Fungi Perfecti ensures its success is shared with the people who make it possible.
What Is a Living Wage?
According to the Global Living Wage Coalition, a living wage is qualified as “the remuneration received for a standard workweek by a worker in a particular place sufficient to afford a decent standard of living for the worker and their family.” This standard, which Living Wage For US adheres to in its certification process, requires a living wage to afford earners the means to meet the essential needs of themselves and their families.
By this criterion, Leading Living Wage Employers must provide compensation that ensures their employees have the ability to obtain adequate food, water, housing, health care, transportation, education, and clothing—among other essentials—while also providing a cushion for unexpected expenses. Unlike the legal minimum wage, which often falls short of real-world living costs, the living wage is independently calculated each year to reflect the actual cost of living required for a given community. Current rates are published at www.livingwageforus.org.
About Fungi Perfecti, LLC—Makers of Host Defense® Mushrooms™
Fungi Perfecti, LLC is a family-owned company founded by internationally renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, who launched Host Defense® under Fungi Perfecti with the goal of building a bridge between people and fungi. Host Defense is now the leading mushroom supplement brand in the U.S., specializing in mushroom mycelium-based supplements designed to support human health. Its product line reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability, scientific integrity, research, and education.*
Fungi Perfecti has become synonymous with cutting-edge mycological research and solutions—from water filtration (mycofiltration) and ecological rehabilitation (mycoremediation) to combating Colony Collapse Disorder in bees. A Certified B Corporation, Fungi Perfecti is third-party designated as Climate Positive, offsetting 110% of its carbon emissions. Follow Host Defense and Fungi Perfecti on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Roaring Fork Mill Wins Sustainability-First Shelfie Award from Startup CPG
Mill Also Secures USDA Grant to Grow Regional Grain Supply Chains
CARBONDALE, Colo. (Sept. 16, 2025) — Roaring Fork Mill, a family-owned Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) stone mill in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, is celebrating two major milestones: recognition as the winner of the Sustainability-First Award at the Shelfies, Startup CPG’s annual awards program, and the receipt of a USDA Business Builder Grant supporting its mission to strengthen regional grain supply chains. ROC is the highest standard in agriculture, requiring rigorous practices that prioritize soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness — values at the core of Roaring Fork Mill’s work.
At the Shelfies, Roaring Fork Mill was honored with the inaugural Sustainability-First Award, sponsored by Green Spoon. The award recognizes brands that prioritize people and planet above profit. Roaring Fork Mill stood out for its exclusive use of non-GMO grains grown by Colorado farmers using regenerative organic practices, with a focus on ancient and heritage wheats that require less water and fewer inputs and protect vital topsoil nutrients.
“We’re honored to be recognized by Startup CPG and Green Spoon for the values that guide our work every day,” said Jacob Trumbull, Founder of Roaring Fork Mill. “From our farmers to our stone mill, we are committed to proving that local grains, grown with care for soil health, can be both good for people and good for the planet.”
Startup CPG launched the Shelfies to celebrate emerging brands making a difference in food and beverage. This year’s awards included the first-ever Sustainability-First category, a reflection of the growing emphasis on climate-friendly innovation.
“A big congratulations to Roaring Fork Mill on winning our first ever Sustainability Shelfie Award, presented by our friends at Green Spoon Sales,” said Daniel Scharff, CEO of Startup CPG. “We're really proud of Jacob and his team putting sustainability into practice and we're so excited to recognize their efforts with this award."
Roaring Fork Mill is also a participant in Green Spoon’s Take Root accelerator, which provides early-stage, disruptive brands with retail sales and promotional support to help them scale.
“It’s inspiring to see Roaring Fork Mill recognized with the first-ever Sustainability Shelfie award,” said Green Spoon CEO and Co-Founder Kari Pedriana. “Their commitment to regenerative organic grains and regional farmer partnerships is exactly the kind of bold, planet-forward approach our industry needs to lift up and support.”
USDA Business Builder Grant
In addition to its Shelfies recognition, Roaring Fork Mill was awarded a USDA Business Builder Grant through the USDA’s Regional Food Business Centers (RFBCs). The grant program provides direct financial assistance to small and mid-sized farm and food businesses to expand local and regional supply chains. With this support, Roaring Fork Mill will continue investing in farmer partnerships, infrastructure, and consumer education around the benefits of regenerative organic grains.
“These two honors — one from our peers in the natural products community, and one from the USDA — give us significant momentum to keep building a resilient grain economy rooted in the Rocky Mountain West,” Trumbull added.
About Roaring Fork Mill
Founded in 2022, Roaring Fork Mill is a family owned Regenerative Organic Certified® stone flour mill based in Carbondale, Colorado. Sourcing heirloom grains from local farmers using regenerative practices, the mill produces premium flours for home bakers, chefs, and food producers. Roaring Fork Mill is also the only flour company in the U.S. with Upcycled Certified® baked goods. Products are available online and for wholesale. Visit the website and follow Roaring Fork Mill on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. “A big congratulations to Roaring Fork Mill on winning our first ever Sustainability Shelfie Award, presented by our friends at Green Spoon Sales,” said Daniel Scharff, CEO of Startup CPG. “We're really proud of Jacob and his team putting sustainability into practice and we're so excited to recognize their efforts with this award."
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Host Defense® Receives INFRA’s Vendor Impact Award and Additional Awards from Taste for Life Magazine
Mushroom supplement category leader honored by Independent Natural Food Retailers Association as well as by leading health publication Taste for Life
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Sept. 9, 2025) — Host Defense®, the #1 best-selling mushroom supplement brand in the U.S. based on SPINS data, has just been honored with three major industry accolades.
The Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) presented Host Defense with its Vendor Impact Award, recognizing the company’s leadership in sustainability, innovation, and retailer education. In addition, MycoBenefits™ Focus*, one of Host Defense’s newest product innovations, was named a winner in Taste for Life’s Back-to-School Essentials Awards for its formula designed to support attention, clarity, and concentration. Most recently, MycoBenefits™ Mood* was also honored by Taste for Life in its September Remedies Happiness (Avoid SAD) Essentials Awards, celebrating it as a standout solution to support a peaceful emotional state and balanced mood.*
"These awards affirm our mission to advance the science, sustainability, efficacy, and accessibility of beneficial mushroom mycelium and fruiting bodies," said Betsy Bullman, Host Defense Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We’re proud to partner with independent retailers, innovate in ways that matter, and deliver products that help people thrive naturally. We appreciate the recognition from these distinguished organizations."*
INFRA Vendor Impact Award
With over 350 member retailers and 600 store locations across the country, INFRA is a cooperative of independently owned natural food stores working together to strengthen the success of their businesses.
The Vendor Impact Award celebrates brands that embody INFRA’s values:
Innovative Leadership: Pushing the boundaries of sustainability, retail innovation, and business excellence.
Nourishing Communities: Supporting independent retailers and strengthening local economies.
Forward Momentum: Demonstrating strong sales growth and purposeful expansion.
Regenerative Impact: Leading in sustainability, ethical sourcing, and climate-conscious initiatives.
Advocacy & Access: Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion while making sustainable, healthy food accessible to all.
Host Defense was chosen for its unmatched sustainability efforts. Climate Positive, the company offsets its carbon footprint by 110%—that’s 10% more emissions offset than the organization produces itself. Host Defense also sources energy from renewables like wind and hydroelectric, utilizes recycled plastics in packaging wherever possible, and commits to deforestation-free practices. The company invests in Life Cycle Analyses to further improve packaging efficiency and is developing a green transportation plan to reduce shipping impacts.
Beyond environmental business practices, Host Defense sets the bar for retailer education—hosting nearly 20 live webinars monthly, offering free products to attendees, and providing extensive training for retail staff. The brand’s research-backed formulations and category-defining product innovation continue to shape trends in the mushroom supplement space.
Taste for Life Awards
Reaching nearly 1 million readers, Taste for Life is a leading natural health and wellness magazine and online platform with over 25 years of editorial history.
The Taste for Life Back-to-School Essentials Award for MycoBenefits™ Focus* spotlights the formula’s unique blend of organic mushroom mycelium—including Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Reishi—with targeted botanicals and nutrients to promote mental clarity, attention, and calm energy for students, professionals, and anyone seeking daily cognitive support. This recognition underscores Host Defense’s expertise in creating functional, multi-benefit wellness solutions.*
And the Taste for Life September Remedies Happiness (Avoid SAD) Essentials Awards recognizing MycoBenefits™ Mood* is a reflection of Host Defense’s ongoing commitment to formulating high-quality products. The formula uses Reishi and Lion’s Mane mushroom mycelium alongside other supportive adaptogens like Ashwagandha and L-Theanine to aid mental energy, mood, and calm thinking. It's a multi-ingredient formula that fits seamlessly into a self-care wellness routine and promotes a balanced mood, calm body, and clear mind.*
About Fungi Perfecti, LLC—Maker of Host Defense® Mushrooms™
Fungi Perfecti, LLC is a family-owned company founded by internationally renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, who launched Host Defense® under Fungi Perfecti with the goal of building a bridge between people and fungi. Host Defense is now the leading mushroom supplement brand in the U.S., specializing in mushroom mycelium-based supplements and functional beverage mixes designed to support human health. Its product line reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability, scientific integrity, research, and education.*
Fungi Perfecti has become synonymous with cutting-edge mycological research and solutions—from water filtration (mycofiltration) and ecological rehabilitation (mycoremediation) to combating Colony Collapse Disorder in bees. A Certified B Corporation, Fungi Perfecti is third-party designated as Climate Positive, offsetting 110% of its carbon emissions. Follow Host Defense and Fungi Perfecti on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Food Inflation in the U.S.: A Strategic Reckoning for Food Sector Leaders
This article first appeared in the September 2025 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
In 2025, food inflation in the United States has transformed from a passing concern into a defining business challenge—and opportunity—for leaders across the food ecosystem. A 3% year-over‑year increase in overall food prices, including 2.4% for groceries and 3.8% for restaurant meals, may seem modest. Yet beneath those figures lie sharper, more disruptive trends: surging prices in staples such as coffee, ground beef, and eggs; strategic responses from consumers and retailers; and structural pressures that demand both resilience and reimagining. Business strategists in the food sector must now lead with insight, not just facts.
A Collision of Climate, Cost, and Policy
Climate volatility continues to drag on food supply and costs. Extreme drought in U.S. cattle belts, heat waves in crop regions, and pest outbreaks such as avian flu have propelled food inflation beyond headline figures. Coffee is up 13.4%, ground beef 10.3%, while eggs have spiked 27.3%, putting extraordinary strain on manufacturers and squeezing household budgets (Axios).
Adding to the upward pressure are sweeping tariffs introduced by the Trump administration, with tariffs on imports from Brazil and India reaching 50%. The tariffs are already working their way into the cost of everything from meat and produce to metals used in cans and packaging (The Washington Post). According to the Yale Budget Lab’s estimates as of August 7, 2025, consumers face an overall average effective tariff rate of 18.6% – the highest since 1933 – and the impact is projected to cost U.S. households an extra $2,400 per year.
Meanwhile, immigration enforcement over the past several months has destabilized farm labor. In California’s Oxnard region, intensified ICE activity has slashed agricultural labor by 20-40%, leading to $3-7 billion in crop losses and driving produce prices up 5% to 12%, according to research published in August 2025 from Cornell University. Simultaneously, cuts in SNAP and other supports have strained both consumer access and farm revenue—especially for smaller producers—plus, grocers in rural communities and elsewhere that depend on SNAP programs feel that impact much harder (Climate and Capital Media).
Beyond cost drivers, the retail margin picture is fraught. Analysis from the White House Council of Economic Advisers showed grocers’ profit margins rising 2 percentage points since before the pandemic—reaching two-decade highs—while “shrinkflation” and package downsizing quietly preserve profitability (Grocery Dive).
FMI—The Food Industry Association’s study released in July 2025, “The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2025,” reveals an industry struggling to navigate challenging economic conditions, largely due to policies implemented during the Trump administration. According to FMI, about 80% of both retailers and suppliers anticipate that trade policies and tariffs will continue to affect pricing and disrupt supply chains. Most grocers expect operating costs to remain high (Supermarket News).
Consumers Are Stressed About Rising Prices
Recent polling reveals that nearly 90% of U.S. adults are stressed about grocery prices—with half calling it a major stressor. As a result, Americans are responding to these pressures with pragmatic and inventive shifts. Consumers across income levels are tightening the belt, leveraging buy-now-pay-later options, getting creative with savings, and turning to food banks when they must (AInvest).
Shopping behavior reflects this anxiety—and innovation. RDSolutions reports that 86% of consumers now buy private-label products, with price cited as the primary decision factor; 42% opt for cheaper alternatives; while 20% skip items altogether. Data from The Feedback Group shows 61% of supermarket shoppers use sale-driven habits—buying on promotion, eating more at home, and choosing store brands over national names (Progressive Grocer). Meanwhile, many households lean on grocery hacks such as careful list-making, midweek shopping, loyalty programs, and bulk purchases to maximize savings (Times of India).
Even amid tightening budgets, shoppers haven’t completely abandoned pleasure, however. KCI’s “stress index” reveals that consumers crave “affordable luxuries” and product discovery—seeking balance between taste and value. In fact, 68% of consumers surveyed prioritize taste over price, while one-third still prioritize lowest-priced options (Food Dive).
In a fresh produce market reeling from the effects of inflation and immigration enforcement, one consumer trend remains strong: Health continues to drive purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables. According to The Packer Fresh Trends 2025 report, published in August 2025, 72% of shoppers say their primary reason for buying produce is to support a healthy lifestyle. However, price pressures loom larger than ever, with 44% of consumers now saying that cost is the top factor in deciding what to buy, up from 39% last year. As households juggle tighter budgets, they’re opting for familiar staples over experimenting with newer or higher-priced options (Farm Journal).
For lower income individuals and families, higher food prices are resulting in less consumption of healthier food options, with the result that Americans are not eating enough fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods. Instead, they are choosing sugary and ultra-processed foods, which tend to be cheaper and last longer.
"There's evidence that inflation continues to shape food choices, particularly for low-income Americans who prioritize price over healthfulness," Constance Brown-Riggs, a registered nurse and nutritionist specializing in diabetes care, told Northwell Health. "These results highlight the disparity in how income influences food priorities," she continued, adding that higher food prices often increase food insecurity. "These shifts increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity."
Even so, there is some opportunity on the horizon. The Packer Fresh Trends 2025 report shared some bright spots, including the fact that Millennials and Gen Z are leading the way on trying new products, exploring organic options, and prioritizing convenience, including prepped veggies and grab-and-go fruit packs. In addition, interest in organic remains strong, with 22% of consumers purchasing organic always or most of the time, particularly among younger and higher-income households.
Grocers, Brands, and Manufacturers Corral Cost Pressures
The reaction from retailers and manufacturers has been tactical and dynamic. Major chains are reevaluating supplier cost increase requests, pushing back aggressively against inflation on branded items. Meanwhile, grocers are ramping up private-label assortments (Investopedia).
Businesses like Aldi are demonstrating how cost leadership can go viral: A summer discount campaign across 2,550 stores marked down 400 items by up to 33%, estimated to save shoppers $100 million. Fast-food chains are responding with value menu bundles—their way of catering to cash-strapped consumers without sacrificing frequency (The Wall Street Journal).
In the natural channel, retailers such as Natural Grocers are emphasizing value, loyalty programs and sales to draw shoppers. For its 70th anniversary in August, Natural Grocers leveraged deep discounts across its nearly 170 stores in 21 states—up to 60% off on more than 500 products—to tap into consumer demand for affordability and quality. According to AInvest, the campaign “sets a benchmark for value-driven retail” by blending “nostalgia, discounts and loyalty incentives to boost sales and customer retention.”
As demand for better-for-you foods remains strong among health-conscious consumers, Jay Jacobowitz, president and founder of Retail Insights, told Supermarket News that many retailers in the natural and independent space experienced a strengthened second half of 2024 and first quarter of 2025, as less price-sensitive consumers make personal health and wellness a priority. Smaller retailers “are going to have increased (economic) pressure, but it’s not pressure that they’re unfamiliar with dealing with,” he said.
Manufacturers are similarly pressured. They face rising raw material, labor, and energy costs, yet retailers limit how much of that inflation they pass through. Many are resorting to smaller or reformulated packaging, trimming promotions, and optimizing sourcing strategies to protect shelf placement (Columbus CEO).
Yet even in the last few weeks, food makers are succumbing to the need to raise prices as the longer-term effects of tariffs, economic policies, and supply chain disruption kick in. On Aug. 7, 2025, Forager Project co-founders Stephen Williamson and John-Charles Hanley announced the following on Instagram:
“Like many food makers, we’ve been feeling the effects of rising ingredient costs—especially for our beloved cashews (up 52%) and coconuts (up 113%). We’ve held off as long as we could, but to keep making food the right way, a price increase was necessary. What hasn’t changed? Organic ingredients, ethical sourcing, planet-healthy practices.”
At the agricultural level, the disconnect is acute. Farmers receive only about 16 cents back from every retail food dollar spent—and that fraction must cover skyrocketing seed, fertilizer, and machinery costs (Washington Post). Some farmers still support tariffs, believing they will yield long-term trade gains; others see them as a short‑term hit to margins (Investigate Midwest).
Strategy: Adaptation, Advocacy, and Resilience
Current forecasts from the USDA suggest moderate gains: food-at-home prices rising around 2.2% for 2025 and restaurant prices about 4%. But the structural challenges—climate, policy, labor, and pricing power—carry implications far richer and more urgent than those figures alone (Food & Wine).
For food-sector professionals, the directive is clear: Strategies must be multidimensional.
1. Reinvent Pricing & Perceived Value
Offer tiered, smaller, or private-label packaging; highlight affordable luxuries and discovery moments in-store and online. Aldi’s shelf reset, Sprouts Farmers Market’s value-based positioning, and Natural Grocers’ emphasis on savings and its frequent buyer program demonstrate ways to drive loyalty and savings.
2. Strengthen Supply Chain Flexibility
Diversify sourcing, invest in climate-resilient inputs, and forecast for volatility. Manufacturers need contingency plans for both weather and trade disruptions.
3. Align Expectations & Margins
Increase analytics around cost impacts and pass-through capabilities. Supplier–retailer partnerships should define fair margin boundaries and shared value strategies for inflation periods.
4. Advocate for Systemic Support
Engage policymakers to safeguard labor stability—through H-2A visa expansions or by regularizing undocumented workers—and to secure tariff relief for food essentials and farm inputs.
5. Build Resilient Retail Formats
Simplify offerings to reduce shopper anxiety and stock-outs. Grocery models like Aldi or Sprouts’ curated “innovation centers” help drive discovery while managing complexity.
A New Epoch for Food-Business Leadership
Food inflation in 2025 is less an anecdote than a wake-up call. When climate shocks strike, tariffs bite, and labor becomes unstable overnight, businesses that only react are left behind. But those that blend adaptive execution, strategic policymaking, and bold market positioning are building enduring advantage.
Consumers may feel squeezed, but they’re still looking for experiences that feel smart, authentic, and human. Retailers, suppliers, processors, and farmers must each meet them there—delivering value, stability, and insight. Because in this new era, food-sector leadership is not just about pricing; it’s about crafting trust in uncertain times—and reshaping food systems to weather today’s storms and make the most of tomorrow’s opportunities.
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing, a strategic communications and brand development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more at www.compassnatural.com.
JAMBAR Embraces Sports Heritage With New Wrappers
Organic Energy Bars Created by PowerBar® Co-Founder Now Feature Runners, Cyclists, Skiers, Snowboarders, Soccer Players and Surfers
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Aug. 20, 2025) -- Organic energy bar maker JAMBAR today unveiled new packaging that celebrates the brand’s deep roots in performance nutrition and its growing community of sports partners. Wrappers and boxes for each of the brand’s five flavors now include images of athletes: Chocolate Cha Cha has runners; Peanut Butter Malt Medley features cyclists; Jammin’ Jazzleberry includes skiers and snowboarders; Musical Mango pictures soccer players; and Tropical Trio shows surfers. Launched in 2021, JAMBAR was founded by Jennifer Maxwell, returning her to the category that she and her late husband, Brian, pioneered in 1985 when they created the original energy bar, PowerBar®.
Maxwell, a former college athlete and lifelong runner, crafted JAMBAR with a nutritional profile and commitment to real food that appeals to many athletes, who also appreciate that the bars don’t melt, crumble or freeze. JAMBARs contain ancient gluten-free grains, authentic natural sweeteners, dried fruit or premium chocolate and high-quality protein.
“So many active people - ranging from weekend warriors to professional athletes - have told us that JAMBAR is their go-to energy bar to fuel their performances and daily adventures,” said nutritionist, food scientist and JAMBAR founder Jennifer Maxwell. “The new JAMBAR packaging leans into our love of sports and our commitment to providing clean ingredients for athletes and active people.”
As part of its giveback program, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that promote active living and music. Since its launch, JAMBAR has supported athletes and sponsored races, events and sports organizations.
JAMBAR partners with professional athletes including:
Running power couple Joe and Sage Hurta-Klecker,
Skier and Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley,
Cyclist and Gravel Hall of Fame rider Ali Tetrick,
Freestyle skier and downhill mountain bike racer Ryan McElmon, and
Runner and 2023 Stroller Mile World Record holder Neely Spence Gracey.
The company also sponsored Jimmy Conrad’s Kwik Goal FC at The Soccer Tournament in 2023 and 2024, and worked with pro surfer Tia Blanco to launch its Tropical Trio flavor in 2024.
“Jennifer Maxwell is an absolute legend in the energy bar industry, and with JAMBAR, she’s done it again,” said Olympic Gold Medalist and skier Jonny Moseley. “I’ve tried a lot of energy bars, and JAMBAR is my favorite - I really appreciate the whole food, organic ingredients and the great taste.”
JAMBAR can be found at hundreds of events and races across the country, and is the official energy bar of teams and organizations including:
Aspen Snowmass;
The Bear National Cycling Team;
The Armory;
The Big Sky Conference;
Penn Athletics and Penn Relays; and
More than 20 collegiate athletic departments, including University of Texas, University of California - Berkeley and University of Richmond.
ABOUT JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBAR organic energy bars are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in California. A woman-owned, mission-based business, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support active living and music. JAMBARs are available in sports specialty shops, natural foods and grocery stores, and online at Amazon.com. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Can Publicly Run Grocery Stores Solve Food Deserts — and Deliver on Nutrition Equity?
As New York and Chicago explore city-run supermarkets, new models — public, nonprofit and cooperative — are reshaping the business of feeding underserved communities.
This article first appeared in the August 2025 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
When New York Assembly member and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani proposed opening five city-run grocery stores—one in each borough—he reignited a debate that cuts to the heart of capitalism, food justice, and municipal responsibility. Critics labeled it a socialist fantasy. Proponents called it long overdue. But behind the political theater lies a legitimate question: Can publicly operated grocery stores succeed where the private market has failed?
Across America, millions live in low income, low access (LILA) markets—communities without easy access to affordable, nutritious food, or what many in the media refer to as food deserts. In these neighborhoods, fast-food outlets and corner stores predominate, while supermarkets are few and far between. For decades, policy solutions have focused on tax incentives or subsidies to lure grocery chains into underserved areas. Often, those stores don’t last. Mamdani’s proposal dares to flip the script: If the private sector won’t meet the need, let the public sector step in.
Pixabay.com
It’s not an entirely new idea. In small towns and major cities alike, experiments in publicly owned, nonprofit, or cooperative grocery models have taken root. Some have succeeded. Others have shuttered. Together, they paint a nuanced picture of what it takes to make public grocery stores work—and where they can go wrong.
The Rural Proof-of-Concept
With corporate consolidation leading to fewer grocery store options as food prices soar, “people are clamoring for solutions, and that’s leading to creative thinking on what might work,” Ganesh Sitaraman, Director of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, told the Food and Environment Reporting Network. Sitaraman recently published a report, Public Grocery Stores: A Guide for Policymakers.
In St. Paul in rural southeastern Kansas, a town with a population of 600, a municipal grocery store has been in operation since 2013. After the town’s last private grocer had closed, residents faced a 30-minute drive to the nearest supermarket. Rather than accept that future, the city council voted to open its own store. St. Paul’s model is humble, offering a basic selection of staples, fresh produce, and frozen goods. It doesn’t need to generate big profits—just enough to keep the doors open. In that way, it functions like any other public utility: not glamorous, but essential. More than a decade later, it remains in business.
Not every rural experiment has succeeded. In 2019, the town of Baldwin, Florida, opened a city-run grocery store, but by 2024, it had closed its doors. The reasons? Low foot traffic, challenges sourcing competitively priced goods, and the gravitational pull of the nearby Walmart. The lesson: Public stores face the same economic headwinds as private ones, and without a clear strategy and strong local buy-in, they may struggle.
A City of Contradictions
Chicago offers a case study in both the fragility of private grocery models and the resilience of community-driven alternatives. Between 2013 and 2021, the city lost at least 20 full-service grocery stores, many in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods on the South and West Sides. In 2022, Whole Foods Market closed its Englewood store just six years after opening with $10.7 million in city subsidies. For residents, the closure felt like a betrayal and a confirmation that public-private partnerships may not always prioritize community needs (Block Club Chicago).
But even as chains exit, grassroots solutions are emerging. The Go Green Community Fresh Market, launched in Englewood in 2022, is a nonprofit market developed in partnership with local organizations and institutions. It offers fresh produce, pantry staples, and prepared foods in a space designed to reflect community needs.
According to a report in Next City, the store is part of a broader movement toward community-led food infrastructure. Unlike traditional grocers, these models often blend retail with education, workforce development, and health services. They’re small but mighty—and in many cases, they’re succeeding where big box stores have failed.
Chicago’s city government has taken notice. In 2023, the city commissioned a study on the feasibility of municipal grocery stores. The findings, published in 2024, estimated that opening three stores would cost around $26.7 million (Chicago Sun-Times). Critics balked at the price tag. Advocates pointed out that the city has spent far more on failed economic development deals.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has voiced support for continued exploration. His administration sees food access as part of a broader public health and equity strategy—one that requires thinking beyond the boundaries of traditional retail.
New York’s Big Swing
In New York, Mamdani’s plan has drawn national attention. His proposal envisions five city-operated grocery stores with a focus on affordability, accessibility, and cultural relevance. The goal is not just to provide food, but to provide good food—including fresh produce, whole grains, and organic staples—at prices families can afford.
The backlash has been swift. Billionaire grocery executives and conservative commentators warn of government inefficiency, cost overruns, and mission creep. The Wall Street Journal editorial board argued that the plan would replicate “all the flaws of a Soviet commissary.” Mark Cuban quipped, “None of that s*** has a chance.”
But Mamdani remains undeterred. “We treat food like a luxury when it should be a public good,” he told Bloomberg. He sees the city-run grocery model as a form of infrastructure—akin to schools or libraries—that delivers long-term social ROI, not quarterly profits.
Public support appears strong, especially in districts hit hardest by inflation and store closures. In a city where the average grocery markup can exceed 25% in low-income neighborhoods, the idea of subsidized pricing resonates—and aligns with Mamdani’s broader political platform centered on economic justice (NBC New York).
Natural and Organic for Everyone?
One of the most compelling aspects of publicly operated groceries is their potential to democratize access to natural, organic, and specialty foods. In most food deserts, such items are virtually nonexistent. For households managing diabetes, allergies, or autoimmune conditions, the absence of unprocessed, nutrient-dense food isn’t just inconvenient—it could be dangerous.
Public stores, especially those not beholden to shareholder profits, could prioritize clean-label foods, support regional regenerative farms, and offer bulk bins, zero-waste options, and plant-based products typically confined to high-end co-ops. By participating in programs like Double Up Food Bucks or SNAP Match, these stores can extend purchasing power for low-income shoppers (Axios).
Imagine walking into a municipal grocery where you can use your EBT card to buy organic lentils, fresh kale, or local mushrooms—and receive a discount for doing so. That’s not just a policy victory; it’s potentially a public health breakthrough. Cities like Madison, Wisconsin, and Atlanta are already exploring similar models, indicating a growing appetite to align food equity with climate and nutrition goals.
Co-ops and Nonprofits: Lessons from the Field
In the space between private retail and public provision lies another model: the food cooperative. Owned and operated by members, co-ops have long served as alternatives to corporate grocery chains. But historically, they’ve skewed toward affluent, mostly white communities.
That’s changing. The Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) has worked to support co-ops in low-income and BIPOC communities across the Northeast. According to CDI, co-ops in food deserts thrive when they reflect local culture, offer accessible membership structures, and receive early technical and financial support.
In the majority Black-led community in Detroit’s North End, the Detroit People’s Food Co-op celebrated one year in business this past May, making fresh produce and products from locally sourced farms and producers more accessible to more than 4,000 co-op members. The term “food desert” doesn’t sit well with co-op general manager Akil Talley ― a desert, he said, is naturally occurring: “We like to call it 'food apartheid,' because a lot of it was intentional," he told the Detroit Free Press. The co-op was founded by the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching residents about the importance of fresh food that is also behind a number of other food sovereignty initiatives.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the nonprofit Chattanooga Food Center strives to create a food system that offers affordable and convenient access to healthy food, bridging the gap between producers and consumers. The organization partners with farms located within 150 miles of the city to source fresh produce, meat, eggs and dairy products. Its retail store, Gaining Ground Grocery, located in the Highland Park neighborhood of the city, an area previously bereft of fresh food options, offers discounted groceries alongside nutrition education. All proceeds from the store support the continuing mission of the Chattanooga Food Center. Customers can pay for groceries via a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card, and the store also participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program established by the Fair Food Network which doubles the value of SNAP dollars for fresh local produce.
In Dayton, Ohio, the Gem City Market—a Black-led co-op—was launched in 2021 after a successful community investment campaign with more than 3,200 members. Both serve as proof points that with the right support, co-ops can thrive in marginalized neighborhoods and for many communities, municipal or hybrid public/nonprofit models may offer a more sustainable path.
Yet co-ops and nonprofits face unique challenges: they often require significant volunteer labor, complex governance, and ongoing grant support. Stores in low income areas also rely on such government programs as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves 42 million Americans as a defense against hunger.
For example, Gem City Market is committed to making sure food is readily available to local residents of all income levels, with programs like their “WeGotchu” sale, where they match EBT/SNAP-eligible purchases at 50%. However, the SNAP program is facing the biggest funding cuts in its history with the passage of the 2025 reconciliation bill, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which could undermine the ability for low income families to access SNAP.
What Failure Teaches Us
Every closure is a lesson. Florida’s Baldwin Market closed because it couldn’t compete on price. Whole Foods Market left Englewood because it didn’t meet its margin targets. Even Rise Community Market in Cairo, Illinois, launched with fanfare, has struggled to maintain sales volume (New Republic).
These failures underscore the importance of three factors: management expertise, community trust, and economic patience. A grocery store is an operations-intensive business. Success depends on efficient procurement, cold chain management, labor stability, and pricing strategy.
Public or nonprofit ownership doesn’t remove those challenges. It only changes the priorities. Profit may not be the goal—but solvency is still essential. As one food policy analyst put it: “You can’t build equity on empty shelves.”
The Case for Investment
Despite the risks, many argue the benefits of public grocery stores outweigh the costs. The returns may not show up in balance sheets, but in reduced health care spending, increased employment, better school performance, and stronger local economies.
Public stores can act as anchor tenants, revitalizing commercial corridors and attracting additional services like clinics, pharmacies, or credit unions. They can train and employ local residents at living wages. And they can reinvest revenue into community priorities.
As Mamdani frames it: “We’re not just opening stores. We’re opening a future where no New Yorker has to choose between dinner and dignity.”
A New Chapter in Food Access
The feasibility of publicly operated grocery stores isn’t a yes-or-no question. It’s a matter of design, context, and political will. Done poorly, they risk inefficiency and failure. Done well, they can transform food systems.
What’s clear is that the private market alone will not solve food apartheid. After decades of disinvestment and unmet promises, communities are demanding something different. Whether through municipal markets, nonprofits, or co-ops, the movement is growing. And it’s not just about access. It’s about what kind of food system we want—and who it serves.
If cities like New York and Chicago can make public groceries work, they may set a new precedent: that good food is not a luxury, but a right. And that sometimes, the best way to feed the people—is to own the store.
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing, a strategic communications and brand development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more at www.compassnatural.com.