We want to share some difficult news about the future of StarkFresh.

Over the past twelve years, we’ve worked tirelessly to create more equitable food access in Stark County, and we are proud of the impact we’ve made.

After deep reflection, careful analysis, and exploring every possible path forward, due to a combination of financial and operational challenges, we’ve made the difficult decision to wind down our grocery operations in a thoughtful and phased way, and close StarkFresh down completely.

This is not a decision we came to lightly.

For years, we’ve worked together to challenge the status quo and build something bold, affordable, dignified access to healthy food in places where it didn’t exist.

We've brought fresh food to tens of thousands of customers, supported local producers, created jobs, and empowered communities.

But despite our successes, the financial reality of sustaining this model has become untenable, especially in today’s political and funding climate.

Here’s what the closing will look like:

• Our Canton location (Store/kitchen/warehouse/offices) is now permanently closed, effective immediately as of June 30. Over the next month, we will focus on liquidating assets and ending our lease and vacate by August 1.

• The Alliance store located within the Alliance Commons at 405 S Linden Ave will remain open until August 15 so that those with outstanding food vouchers can use them. (Regular store hours are Monday- Friday 10:30am-5pm)

• After that, we’ll vacate the Alliance location and close down the entire agency by September 1.

We know this news is incredibly hard, especially for those who have poured heart and soul into this mission.

Please know how grateful we are, for your work, your passion, and your belief that food should be a right, not a privilege.

StarkFresh has always been more than a store; it’s been a movement built by people who care deeply about justice, equity, and community.

We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together over the past 12 years:

• Over 2,000,871 pounds of food distributed

• Over $ 1,007,065 in sales directly poured back into the local economy

• 64,199 residents directly served through retail alone

• Over 647,000 seed packets distributed

• And most importantly, many, many lives touched through access, dignity and care.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The StarkFresh Board of Directors