Local residents plan to meet at the end of the month to bring ideas and potential solutions to rising grocery costs and limited food access in Star Valley.

Susan Hale, a Star Valley resident, is organizing the effort and inviting the public to attend an informational meeting on April 28 at 6 p.m. at the Thayne Community Center gym.

“The main thing is we need affordable food options in Star Valley,” Susan said.

She praises efforts of local grocery stores to help with the food pantries and other donations to the community saying, “the stores here are really good to the food banks,” she said. “They sponsor events, they donate money, they do good things here.” With that in mind, the goal for Susan is to find solutions and affordable access to nutritional foods.

The idea began as a possible food co-op, but Susan said the concept is still evolving as more information and community input is gathered.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be,” she said. “What we need is a solution.”

Susan described challenges with food access and pricing in the area, highlighting how many residents choose to travel outside the valley for more affordable options, while others may not have that ability.

“Star Valley is a food desert,” she said.

She hopes to get people involved and improve access to a variety of foods, not just basic staples.

“A win for us, I think, is affordable food and not just staples because people need their vegetables,” Susan said. “They need their eggs, so I’d like to source more than rice and beans and have available food options.”

The April 28 meeting will serve as a starting point to gather feedback, identify available resources and determine what direction to take. Susan said they are still in the research phase and want to move carefully.

Interest in the effort has grown quickly. Susan said she received nearly 200 email responses within a few days of posting about the idea on social media.

Susan said the meeting will help find people to organize and support the effort, as well as  find those willing to volunteer in other ways. Even if someone is not in a position to help right away, Susan asks that they attend and stay informed on how things continue to progress. This will allow many more to have the opportunity to step when and where they can.

““We should be taking care of each other,” she said. “The actual movement needs to be more focused on the solution and taking care of our families,.”

She hopes to have  many different individuals and organizations participate at the meeting, including representatives from churches, food banks, as well as residents who simply want to learn more.

“I don’t want somebody to feel like they’re too small,” Susan said, inviting all to attend and learn more.  She asks for people to bring to the meeting; “a way to take notes, a solution-focused attitude, and anyone you know who would benefit from this or has the skills to help build it.”

Those interested in receiving updates or joining the effort can email susan@starandstream.com. She will be sharing updates when she can and asks that those who reach out “be patient” and too check their spam/junk folders for any emails that may be sorted there.