For more than two decades, Mountain Association has prioritized financing grocery stores and local agricultural production because strong food systems support children, families, and the long-term strength of the region. Since 2000, we’ve invested more than $16 million in nearly 150 supermarket, grocery, and food service projects.
Rural communities often struggle to access local, affordable, and high-quality food. More than 20% of the population of Appalachia regularly experiences hunger, and approximately 1 in 3 children are food insecure. Additionally, many residents must drive 20 miles or more to reach a grocery store.
By investing in grocery stores, we improve access to healthy food and strengthen food security—outcomes closely tied to education, health, and overall well-being. At the same time, these stores serve as both community and economic anchors. In many rural towns, they can be one of the few consistent sources of employment, with a single store supporting a dozen or more jobs, contributing to local supply chains, and driving activity for surrounding businesses.
“This community is my community. I’m proud of it. I want it to survive. The store gives stability to our community.”
— Gwen Christon, Owner, Isom IGA
Yet grocery is an extremely low-margin industry, and even small challenges—rising electricity costs, new competition, employee turnover, or fluctuations in government food benefits—can make it difficult to remain open.
“You really always have to look at trying to cut something, whether it’s utilities or waste. With this project, in our best month, we’re freeing up $2,800. When we save money, we buy new equipment, we get more employees, and we give bonuses. We’ve redone our floors and we’ve repaved our parking lot.”
— Mike Long, Store Manager, Long’s Pic Pac, Pineville, Kentucky
Mountain Association helps grocers navigate these pressures by lowering operating costs and improving access to capital. Through hands-on technical assistance with energy efficiency and solar projects, we help businesses reduce expenses while making long-term investments in their operations. We’ve financed 11 energy projects at grocery stores, investing $2.48 million. Additionally, we have helped grocers secure $1.54 million in grant funding to lower project costs. Across a total of 28 stores, our energy work is already generating $629,700 in annual savings—freeing up capital that these businesses can reinvest in equipment, wages, and growth.
“Access to affordable, healthy food isn’t always easy in our communities. Local grocery owners are stepping up with vision and leadership, and we’re proud to support them as both a financial partner and a trusted technical resource. By adopting energy efficient, state‑of‑the‑art equipment, they are improving food freshness, reducing costs, and creating welcoming stores for their customers.”
— Robin Gabbard, President, Mountain Association
We are proud of the partnerships and innovations we’ve made in supporting our grocery partners over the years, and of the impact these stores have in providing food access, employment, and community.
Pikeville Fresh Market
Pikeville, KY
Mountain Association has supported Cox Food Group over the decades with affordable financing and energy savings expertise. Most recently, we worked with Tate Cox on his acquisition and major renovation of a store in Pikeville. This included provided support for their USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant for more efficient lighting and upgraded refrigeration for expanded fresh options in the produce, deli and meat departments.
Isom IGA
Isom, KY
After owner Gwen Christon participated in our WINGS business program early in her career, we have continued to partner over the decades. Mountain Association has helped the store navigate rising utility costs by providing technical expertise, financing, and grant support for energy efficiency upgrades and solar. These efforts have reduced the store’s annual electric costs by more than $68,000 — allowing Gwen to reinvest in 10 jobs, overcome a devastating flood, and maintain essential services.
The Markets
Martin, Frenchburg & Salyersville, KY
Jed Weinberg has worked with the Mountain Association to bring upgrades to multiple rural grocery stores he owns or manages. With Mountain Association’s financing, technical support, and help securing significant USDA REAP grants, Weinberg has found energy savings that have been critical to maintain operations, invest in improvements, and continue providing essential food access and employment in three small communities. Flexible and affordable Mountain Association capital allowed for the Market at Salyersville to move into a new building, doubling the size and expanding its fresh options.
Long’s Pic Pac
Pineville, KY
Grocery stores’ power bills often face large power bills in part due to their high energy draws that happen at certain times of day. Mike Long of Long’s Pic Pac has reduced these high electric costs by installing solar and a first-of-its-kind 60 kWh battery storage system, significantly cutting the power bill. Supported with Mountain Association capital and technical support to navigate federal grants, the project is expected to save at least $15,000 annually and pay for itself within four years. These savings help sustain the small, family-run grocery founded by Long’s father in 1964, while allowing continued investment in staffing and improvements.
My IGA
Beattyville, KY
At My IGA, resilience and reinvestment have helped preserve a critical community grocery store. Following a devastating fire and ongoing flooding, the store was rebuilt and relocated to a higher ground site with the Mountain Association providing financing support through the transition. Most recently, we also provided financing as the owner’s grandson took over the family-run business.
For 50 years, the Mountain Association has invested in people and places throughout Eastern Kentucky and Appalachia. To learn more stories of our history, visit mtassociation.org/fifty.
