Rescued produce sorted at White Pony Express before delivery to community partners in Contra Costa County. Photo: WPE
Guest Commentary
By Tyler McCarthy, Outreach Associate, White Pony Express
On Friday afternoon, for a student who eats breakfast and lunch at school, the dismissal bell does more than end the school day. It starts a 68-hour clock. The last dependable school meal of the week has just been served. The next one won’t arrive until Monday morning.
We hear from our school partners what those hours can mean. As one parent liaison put it: “My thinking was that if I can give them a meal for Saturday, then they only have to get through Sunday. That lessens the need.”
California has done something remarkable. In 2022–23, it became the first state in the nation to guarantee every public school student access to free breakfast and lunch, regardless of family income. Nearly 3.5 billion school meals have been served since the program began.
It works. And at a time when changes to federal nutrition programs are putting additional pressure on some California families, it’s an achievement we must protect.
But hunger doesn’t follow a school calendar.
California’s universal meals program feeds children during the school day. Children still need to eat Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, holidays and school breaks. California has also embraced summer grocery benefits for eligible families, another important piece of the solution. But summer assistance does not solve the gap that arrives every week between Friday afternoon and Monday morning.
For a family already choosing between rent, utilities, transportation, and groceries, those aren’t simply gaps in a schedule. They can be the days the refrigerator runs empty. That’s where White Pony Express makes an enormous difference.
Every day, White Pony Express drivers collect surplus food from grocers, farms, wholesalers, and restaurants – high-quality food that is perfectly good but has nowhere to go. We sort it for quality the same day and deliver it, free of charge, to neighbors throughout Contra Costa County. Of the 135,000 people White Pony Express serves each year, nearly one-third – about 40,300 – are children.
Photo: WPE
Our School Pantry Program brings fresh groceries directly into 23 school communities where 80 percent or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Families shop at no cost, with no forms and no questions asked.
One pantry coordinator remembers a young mother raising three children alone after losing her husband. She came to the pantry for groceries, including peanut butter and chicken.
“She doesn’t have money to buy much,” the coordinator told us, “but she told me it’s a blessing to have White Pony Express helping us.”
Since the School Pantry Program began in 2015, White Pony Express has delivered more than three million pounds of food to school communities – the equivalent of roughly 2.5 million meals.
The model works because it connects two resources that already exist: good food that would otherwise go unused and trusted neighborhood schools where families already gather.
It also demonstrates something larger. Public programs and community organizations do not have to compete with one another. They can complete one another.
Photos: WPE
California has shown what is possible when we make a public commitment to feed children at school and then build a system capable of doing it at an extraordinary scale. Now we need to look just as honestly at the hours the school cafeteria cannot cover.
More than two million California children still lack reliable access to healthy food. For them, the problem doesn’t begin Monday morning. It begins Friday afternoon, when the bell rings. And that is a gap communities like ours can – and must – close.
To volunteer, donate food, or support the School Pantry Program, visit whiteponyexpress.org.
“The best cookies in the Bay” to be offered at only 2nd franchise out of 7 locations so far
“They’re Southern desserts turned into cookies,” co-owner Dale Ingram
“It was nothing short of a leap of faith.” – co-owner Desiree Ingram
By Allen D. Payton
After months of preparation and much anticipation, entrepreneurs Dale and Desiree Ingram are excited to announce the Grand Opening of the new Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch on Friday, October 2nd. They will regularly offer a menu of the company’s line of 10 cookies including dark chocolate sea salt, cookies & cream, banana pudding, birthday cake, the staple cookie – brown butter pecan, and many more and will feature two special cookies each month. Since people enjoy milk and cookies, the menu will also include milk, plus, water for their guests. The Antioch location is just the second franchise for the five-year-old Vallejo-based company, out of seven locations, total.
With early career experience in the restaurant industry and backgrounds spanning customer service, investing, and business operations, the Ingrams shared their journey to entrepreneurship and how their collective experience is helping them prepare to open Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch.
Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch owners Dale and Desiree Ingram will welcome and serve you beginning Oct. 2nd. Photo: Allen D. Payton, Antioch Herald
“We’ve been getting trained. We’re holding interviews this week then we’ll train our staff,” Dale said.
Asked why they decided on this business opportunity, he said, “I was a customer at the Pinole store, and I was part of the newsletter, and it said they’re in the process of becoming a franchise. Another project we worked on for a year came to a halt, so, we thought, ‘let’s see what this Butter Pecan franchise is about’.”
“We had an introductory call on a Tuesday and that night we met in person,” Dale stated. “We just hit it off. Like-minded individuals. Entrepreneurs. We shared our inspirations and interests. Both driven individuals.”
“He sent over the paperwork, and I shared it with my wife,” he added.
“There were several incidences that were God-ordained,” Dale shared. “There are no coincidences. That’s why I think the other project we had been working on ended after a year of work. I prayed and asked God, ‘if not that what is it?’”
Desiree then said, “There was a bit of uncertainty hanging in the balance. Before the bakeshop opportunity came into play, I was wanting to transfer out of my job; I was very unfulfilled. I had a good run. They were great to me. It was a great experience. But it just wasn’t serving me anymore. I was praying and crying and went to my husband and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’”
“But we didn’t know what was going to come of it,” she continued.
“It was nothing short of a leap of faith,” Desiree shared. “The other business venture started to slow down. I was transitioning out of my corporate role. But we were desiring for something more that will be fulfilling for us both and leave a legacy for our kids. The desire was there. We just didn’t know how it was going to unfold.”
“The reason the timeline is so important and sticks out for me, on the 2nd of January, which was my last day at my job, that day I was filling out the paperwork for the franchise,” Desiree stated. “Then Dale had his introductory call with the founder, Wendell Hunter.”
Source: Butter Pecan Bakeshop
“It was literally one door closes and another one opens,” Desiree continued sharing about their path to the cookie business. “Before I made my decision to leave my corporate job, I was driving home and just praying and having my moment of seeking clarity from God. He simply said, ‘Do you trust me?’ Then I was filling out the paperwork and felt like this was our way of saying, ‘yes’.”
“I get chills thinking about it because it was all mind blowing,” Dale shared. “After working the entire last year on a project that was not aligned with His will. When we finally took a break and opened our minds and laid that down, and this is became the one that finally worked.”
A Family Business
It’s a family business. They have a five-year old son and a four-year-old daughter.
“Our son has already made a business decision on our behalf,” Dale stated. “I asked how much we should sell the cookies for and he said, ‘$10,000.’
The legacy they’re working to leave for their children is why their corporate name is Ingram Legacy Group, LLC, which was started for this venture and to include all of their future ventures, he shared.
The Company’s & Cookies’ Origins and a Few of the Flavors
The description of the cookies on the website reads, “Southern-inspired homestyle cookies, baked fresh for every occasion. Cookies your way….”
“The owner’s family used to make Southern desserts, everyone contributes,” Dale explained. “He moved away and missed his grandmother’s nutcake made with pecans. So, he thought, ‘how can we bring the family together’ and he took his grandmother’s recipe, baked the brown butter pecan cookie and sent it out to his family. They said, ‘this is amazing’ and that’s what started things.”
“They’re Southern desserts turned into cookies,” Dale continued, giving examples of their flavors including, “Banana pudding, peach cobbler, German chocolate, and of course, pecan pie.”
Desiree said, “There are 10 that are offered year-round then two specialty cookies each month. Probably the peach cobbler in the fall aligned with the holidays.”
There will be the “Childhood Favorites” of peanut butter and jelly, birthday cake, cookies and cream, and strawberries and cream. Then varying levels of sweetness. Some people don’t want it too sweet. Others say, ‘give me all the sugar!’”
Asked if there will be a salted caramel cookie (this reporter’s favorite) she said that it would be seasonal.
“But the company responds to requests on social media,” Desiree added.
“Which is why they brought back strawberries and cream on the regular menu,” Dale stated. “I love that one. There’s nowhere else you can get that. The tart strawberries and white chocolate.”
Restaurant, Corporate Experience
“I loved all my restaurant jobs,” said Dale. “I think that’s what intrigued me about this business, the customer service. We know you’re going to be satisfied when you leave here. All these things intrigued me about this opportunity.”
“We’re able to bridge our two worlds,customer service, and my background in operations,” Desiree said.
Corporate Growth
The first store opened in 2021 in Pinole.
“Currently they have five corporate stores and their first franchise opened in February in Hayward. We will be the second.”
The corporate locations are in “Pinole, Emeryville, Pleasant Hill, Fairfield and Vallejo, where they have the storefront with the production facility in the back,” he shared.
Source: Butter Pecan Bakeshop
Ordering Options
Asked if there will be packages, Dale said, “Customers can buy them single, a half dozen or a dozen, which is the better deal, because you’re buying 10 and getting two free and can get one of each.”
“We do have the pre-made boxes such as: best sellers, nut lovers, chocolate lovers and Southern classics,” Desiree shared.
Asked if there’s an app or if people can call in an order ahead of time Dale said, “You can pre-order online through the corporate website, butterpecanbakeshop.com. We also have one corporate social media account.”
“We believe we’re on the right path and we know because we’ve seen Him through the process. It’s been very smooth,” she shared. “But there’s been sometimes that God makes sure, ‘do you still trust Me? If you trusted Me then, you can trust Me now. If I carried you then why would I stop now?’”
“If He did it before, He can do it again,” Dale added.
Corporate Owner Announces Antioch Location in April
In a post on the company’s Facebook page on April 20, 2026, corporate founder Wendell Hunter shared a video announcing the new location and wrote, “Antioch, California, are you ready for your very own BUTTER PECAN BAKESHOP?!?! “We’re coming loud and proud with The BEST Cookies in The Bay this Fall!
“We’re beyond excited to be opening our second franchise location in your city! Tag someone who lives in Antioch in the comments & stay tuned for more details coming soon!”
“If you haven’t done so, already, make sure you visit Butter Pecan Bakeshop on Instagram, click the link in the bio and join the VIP list. That is where you’ll get all the information for our upcoming Grand Opening that is coming real, real soon. Alright. Hope to see you there. And don’t forget we’re right here in The Crossings Hillcrest shopping center right next to Safeway and Ross.”
The bakeshop is equipped with an oven where the cookies will be fresh baked, the freezers for the dough and the racks to hold the cookies ready for sale and eating! Photos by Allen D. Payton, Antioch Herald
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Details
The Ingrams will hold the Grand Opening of their Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch location on Friday, October 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., following the Ribbon Cutting with the Antioch Chamber of Commerce at noon on Friday with RC at beginning. Butter Pecan Bakeshop founder Wendell Hunter will be there and speak, the Ingrams will speak, as will District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson and Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas in whose District 3 the bakeshop is located at 3345 Deer Valley Road.
According to the Grand Opening announcement on the company’s Instagram account, “The first 100 customers get a FREE Cookie! We’ll also be selecting a few local businesses to receive a fresh box of cookies! Nominate your favorite Antioch business as a cookie drop stop by tagging them in the comments!”
Live Music, Line Dancing, Beer & Wine Garden, Artisan Vendors, Food & Kid Zone
Plus, 6th Annual Delta Rotary Cornhole Tournament
By Celebrate Antioch Foundation
Celebrate Antioch Foundation proudly presents one of our signature events, The Boots & BBQ Festival, Saturday, Sept. 26 from 11 AM to 6 PM. Grab your boots, bring your family and friends, and join us for a day you won’t forget in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown!
Spend the day with us enjoying the Amateur BBQ Cook-Off Competition and Cornhole Tournament while relaxing to the live music featuring the sounds of Houston Ave and Burke.
Select from a variety of local Rivertown Restaurants and BBQ Food Trucks and unwind under our shaded Beer and Wine Garden. There will be a family-friendly Kid Zone with a special guest providing Line Dancing Instruction.
Browse unique creations from our artisan vendors, sip your favorite beer or wine, and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of entertainment and fun.
Amateur BBQ Cook-Off Competition
Are people always telling you your ribs are the BEST around? Or maybe you are are looking to take your BBQ skills to the next level. Cook up some of your best chicken and ribs and participate in Boot & BBQ Backyard BBQ Competition! Our Boots & BBQ Amateur Backyard BBQ Cook-off Competition on Saturday Sept 26th, 2026, in Antioch’s Rivertown Business District. This amateur contest is intended for the local backyard BBQ enthusiasts, those whose friends and family tell them they create fantastic ribs and chicken at home. Participants can register as a group or as an individual and the cost to enter the contest is $100. The winners will receive a trophy, a cash prize and ultimate bragging rights!
Prizes include Grand Champion Winner $500 & Trophy; 1st Place Chicken & Rib Winner $300 & Trophy; 2nd Place Chicken & Rib Winner $150 & Trophy; 3rd Place Chicken & Rib Winner $75 & Trophy; and, of course, ultimate bragging rights!
6th Annual Cornhole Tournament
This year’s event will feature the Rotary Club of the Delta’s 6th Annual Corn Hole Tournament. The $100 Cornhole Entry Fee is for a Team of 2 People! Divisions will be determined during a Round Robin Style of play that will place you in the backyard or competitive division for the single elimination bracket play.
Your donation will help us to continue to support our local youth programs, senior citizens, veterans and community projects.
Come out and have some good, old-fashioned fun with family and friends.
Location
The Festival will be located in Antioch’s historic downtown with the bands playing in Waldie Plaza near the waterfront. Mark your calendars, grab your boots and hats, and meet us in Rivertown! See y’all there!
Thank you to our sponsors: ALMOST THERE TRAVEL • ANTIOCH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION • ANTIOCH HERALD • ANTIOCH ROTARY CLUB • CATHOLIC FUNERAL & CEMETARY SERVICES • CITY OF ANTIOCH • DELTA VIEW PRODUCTIONS • EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION • FLYING DUTCHMAN TATTOO • JIM LANTER STATE FARM • WILLOW PARK MERCANTILE • REPUBLIC SERVICES
For more information about Celebrate Antioch Foundation visit our website at www.celebrateantioch.org.
Able-bodied must now document 80 hours a month of work, job training or volunteering
By Tyler McCarthy, Outreach Associate and Eve Birge, CEO, White Pony Express
Until this June, if you were 55 to 64 and on CalFresh, you were exempt from the program’s strictest work rules. Not anymore.
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, adults in that age range who are considered able-bodied and don’t have a child under 14 at home must now document 80 hours a month of work, job training or volunteering — or lose their food assistance after three months. California’s rules changed June 1.
Think about who that catches. Too young for Medicare. Too early for full Social Security without a permanent cut to the check. Often job-hunting in a market that stopped calling back the moment their resume showed 20 years of experience.
Learn about the new rules for other age groups, here.
Nationally, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollment has dropped by four and a half million people since the law passed — about 11 percent. Fewer people getting help is not the same as fewer people needing it, and this is exactly the age group already reporting the most hardship. Food insecurity among adults 50 and older has been climbing for two decades, and it shows up later as worse health, poorer diets and a harder time managing chronic disease. Meanwhile, groceries cost around 30 percent more than they did before the pandemic. More than 4 in 10 older adults now say prices at the store have outrun their budget, according to AARP.
White Pony Express meets them where they already are. Nearly all its 144 partner agencies serve older adults; 18 serve seniors exclusively. Its drivers bring fresh produce, dairy and protein to senior housing and community centers, and set it out like a farmers’ market, not a handout, so people choose what they want and stay to visit, share recipes and build community.
The program coordinator at a food pantry in San Pablo explained it best: “We serve seniors who have a fixed income and use it to pay bills and rent. Food is something they have to find. They survive through this kind of service.”
Since 2013, White Pony Express (WPE) has done this at no cost to its nonprofit recipients and no cost to the people they feed. Help WPE reach more neighbors: volunteer or donate at whiteponyexpress.org.
White Pony Express is a food rescue nonprofit based in Concord, California.
Sources:
Until this June, if you were 55 to 64 and on CalFresh, you were exempt from the program’s strictest work rules. Not anymore.
“OBBBA raises the age limit for ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) work requirements, from 55 to 64.” (Think Global Health, 2026)
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, adults in that age range who are considered able-bodied and don’t have a child under 14 at home must now document 80 hours a month of work, job training or volunteering — or lose their food assistance after three months.
“Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, more adults need to prove they work or volunteer for at least 80 hours a month to access food benefits. These work requirements now apply to veterans, homeless individuals, young adults aging out of foster care, parents with a child between 14 and 17, and people between 55 and 64.” (NPR, 2026)
“People who have to meet the work or community engagement requirement must participate in qualifying activity for up to 20 hours per week, or 80 hours averaged monthly. Qualifying activities include:
“Starting June 1, 2026, the federal government’s rules on CalFresh work and community engagement requirements are changing in California. This means that some CalFresh recipients between the ages of 18-64 will have to meet work and community engagement requirements to keep their CalFresh benefits.” (CDSS, 2026)
Nationally, SNAP enrollment has dropped by four and a half million people since the law passed — about 11 percent.
“We estimate that SNAP participation nationwide fell by more than 4.5 million people (11 percent) between the law’s July 2025 enactment and April 2026, based on the latest month of data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and data from the Georgia Department of Human Services provided in an open records request.” (CBPP, 2026)
Food insecurity among adults 50 and older has been climbing for two decades, and it shows up later as worse health, poorer diets and a harder time managing chronic disease.
“Food insecurity among older adults has risen over the past two decades, contributing to poorer diet quality, declining physical health, heightened risk of cognitive impairment, and more challenging chronic disease management.” (Think Global Health, 2026)
Meanwhile, groceries cost around 30 percent more than they did before the pandemic.
“The price of food purchased for home use rose 33% from 2019 through June 2026.” (AP News, 2026)
More than 4 in 10 older adults now say prices at the store have outrun their budget, according to AARP.
“In a December 2025 AARP survey, more than 4 in 10 adults ages 50-plus said grocery prices now cost more than they can afford, compared with one-third of adults under 50.” (AARP, 2026).
WPE Director of Operations Ana Bostick distributes groceries provided by White Pony Express at the Kaiser Permanente-partnered Drive-Thru Giveaway, August 1, 2026. Photos: WPE
By Trish Heaney, Marketing and Communications Manager, Steve Spraitzar, Public Relations, and Tyler McCarthy, Outreach Associate, White Pony Express
Bags of stuffed animals are ready to meet their new owners.
ANTIOCH, Calif. – White Pony Express (WPE) and Kaiser Permanente partnered to hold a Drive-Thru Giveaway Saturday on August 1, 2026, at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center, distributing groceries and essential goods to 200 local families while marking a milestone of 32 million meals rescued and delivered to Contra Costa County residents since WPE’s founding.
Families were connected to the event through 20 Antioch-based nonprofit partners served by WPE. Each family received two bags of fresh groceries along with hygiene kits, toys, children’s books, and treats. In total, WPE distributed 5,075 pounds of groceries and more than 2,500 hygiene and beauty kits and children’s gifts.
“Extraordinary things are possible when we commit to the shared belief that every one of us belongs to one human family and when one person thrives, we all thrive,” said White Pony Express CEO Eve Birge. “This drive-thru is more than a giveaway — it’s a celebration of a community showing up for itself, with love at the center.”
White Pony Express staff and Kaiser Permanente employees work side by side making sure every family is taken care of.
Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, who attended the event, pointed to White Pony Express’s outsized role in the city.
“I didn’t realize Antioch gets the most food from White Pony Express out of the whole county,” Bernal said. “This is a great way to address not just food insecurity but having quality food for people — because that’s really the missing element.”
Antioch Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker, a longtime WPE community partner, echoed that sentiment.
“White Pony Express has always showed up and showed out and made sure our families had what they needed,” Walker said. “You bring White Pony Express together with Kaiser Permanente, you get two organizations that are caring for people in very practical ways to make sure their families are healthy.”
Families received hygiene items, birthday kits, toys, stuffies, and two bags of healthy groceries.
Events like the August 1st giveaway come as food insecurity continues to climb across Contra Costa County driven by CalFresh cuts, rising grocery and housing costs, and stagnant wages.
White Pony Express was founded on the idea that hunger is not caused by a lack of food, but by a failure to connect existing surplus with the people who need it. Each day, WPE’s staff and 2,000+ volunteers rescue fresh food and essential goods from local grocers, farms, and businesses and deliver it within 24 hours to families across the county — a model that allows the organization to scale and respond quickly as hunger grows more widespread.
Smiles all around. An Antioch resident beams after receiving her gifts.
About White Pony Express
White Pony Express is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner on a simple, radical belief: hunger is not a scarcity problem, it’s a logistics problem. Our mission is to end hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance already all around us to our neighbors in need — with love. Every day, WPE’s staff and 2,000+ volunteers rescue fresh, healthy food and essential goods from local grocers, farms, and businesses, redistributing it within 24 hours to families across Contra Costa County. To date, we’ve recovered and delivered more than 38 million pounds of food through partnerships with 140+ nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations, guided by the mantra “all of us taking care of all of us”.
Fourth Annual event features live performances, music, food, activities for kids and adults, and more!
By City of Antioch Recreation Department
Celebrate this Juneteenth with the City of Antioch! This free annual city-sponsored Juneteenth Celebration is where we come together as a city to honor freedom, culture and community. Join us Friday, June 19th for a day of reflection that showcases the richness of African American heritage as we embrace the vibrancy and resiliency of Black culture. This event features live performances, music, food, activities for kids and adults, and so much more!
What Is Juneteenth?
Short for June Nineteenth, Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the 1865 emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States – marking the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure the freedom of all remaining enslaved people. Texas became the first U.S. state to celebrate Juneteenth in 1979. Officially becoming a U.S. federal holiday in June of 2021, the City of Antioch is proud to present our fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration.
Entertainment
The Antioch Juneteenth Celebration music line up is here!
DURTI RYCE Featuring DERON will light up the stage with a tribute to the one and only Frankie Beverly, an icon of soul and R&B!
Oh, we’re not done. We are also excited to welcome powerhouse songstress, MONIQUE RENEE who will grace the stage with a tribute to Lady T, Teena Marie!
Two acts, two unforgettable icons to be honored, one incredible night. Join us for food, games, fun, and memories at this year’s Antioch Juneteenth Celebration.
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and other District Attorneys in the State of California reached a settlement with Walgreen Co. for $6,000,000 for violations related to expired baby food, drugs, and overcharging customers.
The civil case and settlement centered on the company violating state law by charging their customers more than the lowest price posted or advertised price. The allegations that the company was in violation of these laws were based on inspections of scanners. Moreover, the civil lawsuit led to a resolution that Walgreens failed to comply with laws that prohibit the selling or offering to sell over-the-counter drugs, infant formula, and baby food products beyond the expiration date.
The court ordered Walgreen Co. to pay $5.4 million in civil penalties and $600,000 to reimburse state district attorney offices for the cost of investigations, attorneys’ fees, and other costs associated with enforcement. Contra Costa County will receive $612,000 of the civil settlement and $10,000 to cover the costs.
Walgreen Co. will also implement a three-year program to promote pricing accuracy and the removal of expired products from its store shelves. This program requires store managers to conduct monthly checks of all aisles and shelves of medication, baby food, and formula, and remove any expired items. Managers must also conduct weekly store walks and remove signage displaying inaccurate sales tag information and post signs informing customers of Walgreens’ Price Promise Guarantee. The Price Promise Guarantee means that if a customer notices a scanned price is higher than the advertised price, the customer will be charged the lower price.
District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Customers should have confidence that companies that sell food and formula to infants and children are doing so by being scrupulous about the safety of the products in their stores. The same goes for medications that are sold beyond their expiration dates. The work of my office and those of other district attorney offices in the state shows that when we work together to enforce laws, we not only ensure compliance – we’re also restoring trust and safety in our communities.”
Case No. 1-13-CV-239110 | The People of the State of California v. Walgreen Co., an Illinois Corporation
Local military veterans’ leader, J.R. Wilson enters the Grocery Outlet store on Buchanan Road in Antioch, Saturday, March 7, 2026. Photo by Allen D. Payton
Company announced this week underperforming stores will close this year
By Allen D. Payton
Emeryville-based Grocery Outlet announced this week that they plan to close 36 of their 536 stores across the United States this year. Nineof the stores are located in California. However, it was learned Friday, that the Antioch store is not on the list.
Net sales for the year increased by 7.3% to $4.69 billion, gross profit increased 7.4% versus 2024 to $1.42 billion and gross margin was 30.3% compared to 30.2% in 2024. But the company’s operating loss was $221.7 million and net loss was $224.9 million compared to net income of $39.5 million, in 2024. Adjusted net income was $75.2 million compared to $76.3 million the previous year.
“We made progress on our strategic priorities in 2025; however, our fourth-quarter results made clear that we have more work to do, and we’re moving quickly,” said Jason Potter, President and CEO of Grocery Outlet. “Consumer pressure intensified, federally funded benefits were delayed, and competition grew more promotional in the fourth quarter. In response, we have begun to sharpen our focus on what matters most: delivering clearer value and a better in-store experience. We’re intensely focused on restoring the opportunistic mix to rebuild value perception with the customer and advancing our store refresh program, and we’re already seeing early, measurable improvements. At the same time, we’re closing underperforming stores, reshaping our new store growth strategy and reallocating resources to strengthen operating results and returns on capital. We are confident that we have identified the core challenges and now have the right plans in place and the right team to execute them.”
Optimization Plan and Restructuring Plan
As a result, the company announced those plans as follows:
“To strengthen long-term profitability and cash flow generation, improve operational execution, optimize our existing store footprint and align with our disciplined new store growth strategy, in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 we conducted a strategic, financial and operational analysis of our store fleet. Following that review, on March 2, 2026, our Board of Directors adopted the Optimization Plan that provides for the closure of 36 financially underperforming stores, including the termination or sublease of the applicable store leases, the termination or sublease of a lease for a distribution center facility that we are no longer utilizing, and the termination of operator agreements with independent operators (‘IOs’) for the applicable store locations as well as certain other store locations. These actions under the Optimization Plan are expected to be substantially completed during fiscal 2026.”
Grocery Outlet Partners with Independent Owner/Operators
According to the company’s website, “Since 1973, Grocery Outlet has partnered with retail leaders to operate their expanding locations. Our Independent Operators have considerable local-decision making autonomy over store operations including hiring, merchandising, marketing and more. You hire, train, and lead your team, doing what you do best, and then we share the profits of your retail store according to our commission structure. We each assume different risks but share the rewards.
“We support our Independent Operators with training, mentorship, marketing, finance and accounting professionals to assist with any questions or issues that come up.”
Antioch Store on Buchanan Road Not Closing
Kyle Noble, Grocery Outlet’s Senior Director of Marketing was asked if it is correct that stores in California are closing and if so, whether or not Antioch is included.
He was also asked since no list has apparently yet been publicly provided, when it will be, how long will the current owner/operators be given to prepare for their closures or if they have already been informed. Noble did not respond before publication time.
However, a store employee, who chose not to be identified, informed the Herald on Friday that the Antioch store located on Buchanan Road will not be closing.
Open since Nov. 12, 2015, the current owner/operators are Fadi Fayad and Kelly Talaie.
According to a report on Patch, the nine California stores to close are in Azusa, Brawley, El Cajon, Kerman (near San Jose), La Habra, Ontario, Patterson, Poway and Ridgecrest.
24 Stores to Close on East Coast
According to a KRON4 news report, “While no announcement has been made as to which stores will close…According to a report in the grocery industry trade publication, Grocery Drive, 24 of the stores set to close are on the East Coast.”
The company “currently operates around 17 stores in the Bay Area” and “more than half of Grocery Outlet stores are in California,” according to the report.
About Grocery Outlet:
Based in Emeryville, California, Grocery Outlet is a growth-oriented extreme value retailer of quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products sold primarily through a network of independently operated stores. Grocery Outlet and its subsidiaries have more than 560 stores in California, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Idaho, Nevada, Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky and Virginia.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
