Kathy Draeger, the statewide Director of the University of Minnesota Extension – Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, wants rural communities to see their local grocery stores as the assets they are. Small town grocery stores have been facing an uphill battle against increasing competition from the big national chains. In this interview, Kathy and Julie will be talking about the important roles small grocery stores play in their communities, especially in a time of COVID, and the innovations she and her team have developed to help them succeed.