Raleigh Cooperative to Break Ground on New Grocery Store

The community-owned grocery project on Garner Road aims to address food access in Southeast Raleigh.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Organic Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a shovel in a pile of soil, representing the new grocery cooperative building project. — Fertile Ground Food Cooperative will break ground on a new grocery store in Southeast Raleigh on October 24, 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Fertile Ground Food Cooperative will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on October 24, 2026, at the JD Lewis Multipurpose Center. The project seeks to bring a full-service grocery store to a neighborhood that has lacked one since 2013.

Why it matters

The cooperative aims to provide food access in an area without a grocery store while building local economic resilience. This initiative is designed to address local hunger issues for the residents of Wake County.

The project has secured $5 million toward its $11 million goal to serve an area where 145,000 Wake County residents face hunger. Over 1,000 member-owners currently hold stakes in the cooperative, with hopes to double that number.

The players

Fertile Ground Food Cooperative

This member-owned organization was established to improve food accessibility and economic health in the Southeast Raleigh region.

JD Lewis Multipurpose Center

This community hub serves as the host site for the upcoming grocery development on Garner Road.

The details

Members join by purchasing ownership stakes and voting on store decisions, a structure intended to minimize debt and ensure long-term profitability. The site beside the JD Lewis Multipurpose Center will feature the new grocery store along with shared community space.

The cooperative initiative began as a cafe idea in 2012.
Kroger closed both stores in Southeast Raleigh in 2013.
A groundbreaking ceremony is set for October 24, 2026, at the JD Lewis Multipurpose Center.

Culture Shift

The project reflects a broader trend of communities forming cooperatives to combat food insecurity in urban areas following the departure of major retail chains. It signifies a move toward localizing wealth and food supply in neighborhoods labeled as food deserts.

Residents of Southeast Raleigh will gain access to a community-owned grocery store on Garner Road upon completion. Members can continue to influence store operations and pricing by purchasing ownership stakes and voting in board decisions.

The takeaway

Community-owned cooperatives represent a strategic approach to filling the gaps left by traditional retailers in urban areas. Residents can support the project by attending local meetings or investing in ownership stakes to help the organization reach its funding target.