Food Marketing Institute on Thursday announced the six winners of its 2013 Community Outreach Awards.
The awards recognize creative, charitable programs carried out by food retailers to enhance the lives of those in the communities where they operate.
“These programs, and all those submitted, serve as vivid reminders that the longstanding tradition of the neighborhood supermarket enriching the life of its community is alive and well,” said David Fikes, FMI’s VP of communications and consumer affairs. “Reaching well beyond the food they provide their shoppers, grocery stores seek to be an involved light in the local community, a beacon of shining hope.”
Two winners were selected in each of three categories: programs addressing food insecurity, youth development and neighborhood health improvement programs. Each of the six winners will receive $1,000 from FMI to further their program.
The winners among programs addressing food insecurity were:
• PCC Natural Market: Shoppers contribute cash donations and reusable bag rebates to fund the purchase of bulk food, which is repackaged at bi-monthly parties at 10 partner food pantries.
• Hy-Vee: This yearly campaign, created in 2002 to reenergize a 25-year-old partnership with Iowa’s largest food pantry, showcases Hy-Vee employees’ creativity and consumers' generosity.
The winners among neighborhood health improvement programs were:
• Klein’s ShopRite of Maryland: Through a partnership with the city of Baltimore and nonprofits, the event allowed citizens to voluntarily surrender guns and receive a $100 ShopRite gift card.
• First Alternative Co-Op: Shoppers using reusable bags place their vote between charities and, over the course of the year, 16 charities receive a proportional donation.
The winners among youth development programs were:
• Safeway: High-schoolers from local underserved communities participate in workshops and activities structured to help students achieve professional success despite life challenges.
• Big Y Food Stores, Inc.: This youth program focuses on Y-AIM: (a)chieve academically, (i)spire to attend college, (m)ove toward personal, family and community advancement.
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