B5. Resilience, Third Nature, and Transition

GTA Assembly Next assembly: 25/11/2026 About the GTA Assembly The Assembly is the space for dialogue, exchange and debate where the actions, strategies and public position of the Global are shared and discussed. It's also a space of connection for new collaborations emerge among the different organizations taking part in the threads of the tapestryTapestryGTA

Asamblea del TGA Próxima asamblea: 25/11/2026 Acerca de la Asamblea La Asamblea de TGA es el espacio de diálogo, intercambio y debate donde se ponen en comun las acciones, estrategias y posicionamientos públicos del Tejido Global. También funciona como un espacio donde pueden surgir nuevas colaboraciones entre miembros del tejido. Las asambleas tienen lugar, aproximadamente, cada 3 meses.

AGUAFIESTAS is a Spanish play on words, evoking both “spoiling the party” and “spilling the water” – water being the vital element synonymous with life itself. Drawing on a rural woman's recollections of her life in the city, the title reflects upon questions of resources and consumption. The ellipsis indicates that the title continues, while the original Spanish is retained to preserve its multiple meanings.tapestryalternatives

AGUAFIESTAS is a Spanish play on words, evoking both “spoiling the party” and “spilling the water” – water being the vital element synonymous with life itself. Drawing on a rural woman's recollections of her life in the city, the title reflects upon questions of resources and consumption. The ellipsis indicates that the title continues, while the original Spanish is retained to preserve its multiple meanings.tapestryalternatives

Asamblea Virtual del TGA #21 – 25 de noviembre de 2026 Fecha, horario y enlace de acceso * Fecha: Miércoles 25 de noviembre de 2026 * Horario: 13:00 h GMT * Duración: 2 horas * Unirse a la Asamblea por Zoom Sobre la Asamblea El Tejido Global de Alternativas (TGA) invita cordialmente a sus integrantes y a las iniciativas participantes a la 21.ª Asamblea Virtual, un espacio de reflexión colectiva, intercambio y diálogo sobre nuestros procesos de entretejido y gobernanza.

GTA Virtual Assembly #21 – November 25, 2026 Date, Time and Meeting Link * Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026 * Time: 1:00 pm GMT * Duration: 2 hours * Join the Assembly via Zoom About the Assembly The Global of () warmly invites its members and participating initiatives to the 21st Virtual Assembly, a space for collective reflection, exchange and dialogue on our ongoing processes of interweaving and governance.GTATapestryGTAalternativesGTAWeaversGTAGTAWeaversGTAGTAGTA

Eventos Próximos eventos El experimento kurdo de democracia radical y autonomía: luchas y riesgos - 13 de noviembre Como parte de la serie de seminarios web para la construcción de una Alianza Global por la Democracia Radical y la Autonomía (GARDA), el Tejido Global de Alternativas (TGA) te invita a una conversación sobre la experiencia kurda de democracia radical y autonomía, con enfoque en sus luchas y riesgos.GTAGTAGTAGTAGTAGTATapestryAlternativesTapestryAlternativesTapestryAlternativesG…

[ Tejedores] TGA es una “red de redes”. Cada una de esas redes actúa en diferentes partes del planeta identificando y conectando Alternativas. Son los Tejedores. [ Apoyos] Diversas organizaciones progresitas, post-desarrollo y/o anti-capitalistas apoyan esta iniciativa. Tambien lo hacen académicos, activistas y referentes.GTAGTAGTA

Events Upcoming events Kurdish Experiment in Radical Democracy and Autonomy: Struggles and Risks - November 13th As part of the webinar series for building a Global Alliance for Radical Democracy and Autonomy (GARDA), the Global of () invites you to a conversation on the Kurdish experience of radical democracy and autonomy, focusing on its struggles and risks.GTAGTATapestryAlternativesGTAalternativesTapestryAlternativesAlternativesalternativesTapestryAlternativesGTAGTATapestryAlternatives…

Global of [Weavers] GTA is a “network of networks”. Each of those networks acts in different parts of the planet by identifying and connecting Alternatives. They are the Weavers. [Endorsements] Many progressive, post-developent and anticapitalist organizations around the world endorse this initiative. Also many academics, activists and referents do so.GTAGTAWeaversGTAGTAalternativesAlternatives

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.

A few client features from our 50 Years of Impact report: 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.  

The post Grocery Stores as Community Anchors: Investing in Food, Families, and Local Economies appeared first on Mountain Association.

AGUAFIESTAS is a Spanish play on words, evoking both “spoiling the party” and “spilling the water” – water being the vital element synonymous with life itself. Drawing on a rural woman's recollections of her life in the city, the title reflects upon questions of resources and consumption. The ellipsis indicates that the title continues, while the original Spanish is retained to preserve its multiple meanings.tapestryalternatives

AGUAFIESTAS is a Spanish play on words, evoking both “spoiling the party” and “spilling the water” – water being the vital element synonymous with life itself. Drawing on a rural woman's recollections of her life in the city, the title reflects upon questions of resources and consumption. The ellipsis indicates that the title continues, while the original Spanish is retained to preserve its multiple meanings.tapestryalternatives

Asamblea Virtual del TGA #21 – 25 de noviembre de 2026 Fecha, horario y enlace de acceso * Fecha: Miércoles 25 de noviembre de 2026 * Horario: 13:00 h GMT * Duración: 2 horas * Unirse a la Asamblea por Zoom Sobre la Asamblea El Tejido Global de Alternativas (TGA) invita cordialmente a sus integrantes y a las iniciativas participantes a la 21.ª Asamblea Virtual, un espacio de reflexión colectiva, intercambio y diálogo sobre nuestros procesos de entretejido y gobernanza.

GTA Virtual Assembly #21 – November 25, 2026 Date, Time and Meeting Link * Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026 * Time: 1:00 pm GMT * Duration: 2 hours * Join the Assembly via Zoom About the Assembly The Global of () warmly invites its members and participating initiatives to the 21st Virtual Assembly, a space for collective reflection, exchange and dialogue on our ongoing processes of interweaving and governance.GTATapestryGTAalternativesGTAWeaversGTAGTAWeaversGTAGTAGTA

TEJIENDO ALTERNATIVAS #21: Boletín del Tejido Global de Alternativas Tejiendo economías para la vida: Economías solidarias, bienes comunes, cuidados y futuros pluriversales Noviembre de 2026 Nota editorial El mes pasado, el Banco Mundial y el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) celebraron sus Reuniones Anuales en Bangkok, Tailandia, reuniendo a gobiernos, instituciones financieras y responsables de la formulación de políticas para deliberar sobre el futuro de la economía mundial. Más de och…