Dec 31, 2024
What does combating food insecurity and broadband connectivity have in common? According to Surry Marketplace owner, Andy White, it’s a collaborative effort! When White moved to Surry County seven years ago, he soon discovered two challenges of life in rural America: food scarcity and broadband access.
Reducing food insecurity has been a longstanding vision ingrained in the White family. Rev. Dr. Andrew J. White, Sr., and Dr. Gracie White, Andy’s parents, set out to combat food insecurity through ministry work and it became a core value of the White family.
“Our story and commitment to reducing food waste and promoting sustainability are deeply rooted in the legacy of my parents,” Andy says. “Throughout their lives, they have dedicated themselves to reducing food insecurity through ministry work in churches and communities across the Petersburg tri-cities area. Their involvement with initiatives like Downtown Churches United and Operation Bread Basket provided vital support to local citizens and has been a lasting inspiration for our family values.”
Before the Surry Marketplace was established, the White family organized community food giveaways in Surry County, funded by the CARES program, in November 2020 and December 2021. These events were made possible through collaborative partnerships with local organizations, farmers, businesses, and boards. Over 600 families were served each year, receiving fresh, nutritious food during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Following in his parents’ footsteps, Andy describes his five-year effort to convert the former Surry Furniture & Hardware Co. to Surry Marketplace as reflection of the family’s continued dedication to building a stronger, healthier community. Since Surry County had lacked a supermarket since 1999 and was classified as a food desert, Andy felt that the most practical solution was to repurpose the 2,000-square-foot building into a supermarket.
“This process quickly became a family passion project rooted in a desire to service this community that could not have been done without the support of our community partners,” White says. One of those community partners was RURALBAND – the co-op’s wholly owned fiber subsidiary.
White’s first glimpse into the county’s challenge with broadband connectivity was as he was traveling by the local library. “I would see cars in the parking lot but didn’t understand why,” he said. “When moving to the county, our ability to have access to internet was from home satellite internet services. They were spotty and expensive which created some difficulty with affordability and good service. My wife was teaching virtually and often experienced difficulty and frustration due to the satellite effectiveness in a rural area.”
Andy says that fast and reliable internet service has been instrumental in the efficient operation of the Surry Marketplace. “It ensures seamless functionality of our point-of-sale system, accurate inventory management, and reliable digital payment options—all essential to our success. Many of our suppliers and distributors rely on digital platforms for food product orders, which operate best with robust internet connectivity. Thanks to RURALBAND, we can also maintain an active online presence through our Surry Marketplace Facebook page.”
Looking ahead, Andy says they are excited about the new opportunities RURALBAND will enable, including online ordering and delivery services, further enhancing their customer experience.
RURALBAND currently provides quality fiber-optic service to more than 5,000 members. However, there are still thousands of members who have not yet taken advantage of this quality service. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and neighbors to join the RURALBAND family today. Plan pricing and application details are available at www.RURALBAND.coop.
The Surry Marketplace is committed to fostering meaningful connections and supporting local initiatives, emphasizing that the community is the core of its mission. The Marketplace seeks to be a hub for neighbors to gather, collaborate, and celebrate.