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The Giant Company aids small businesses during pandemic

Grant program supports hard-hit Pennsylvania food vendors, producers

Russell Redman

April 10, 2020

3 Min Read
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The Giant Company's $250,000 grant will go to support farms, food processors and other small food businesses in Pennsylvania.The GIANT Company

The Giant Company, formerly Giant Food Stores, has launched a $250,000 emergency grant program to help small businesses in Pennsylvania’s food supply chain impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant said Friday that the emergency agricultural assistance, coordinated in partnership with nonprofit Team Pennsylvania, will go to support farms, food processors and other small food businesses in the state that have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies of 250 employees or fewer involved in growing, making or processing food in the state are eligible, with a maximum award of $15,000 per business.

“As Pennsylvania’s second-largest private employer, and as a company that has been able to continue operating during the coronavirus pandemic, The Giant Company has a responsibility to help mitigate the economic impact in the commonwealth,” President Nicholas Bertram said in a statement. “From family farms to local food artisans and manufacturers throughout the rest of the supply chain, small businesses are hurting, and livelihoods are at risk. These men and women are instrumental in feeding Pennsylvanians, and we want to do our part to help them in their time of need.”

Applications for the grants are now being accepted online by Team Pennsylvania through April 24. Recipients are slated to be notified in early May.

Related:The Giant Company uses social media to discourage hoarding

To develop the grant program, Giant and Team Pennsylvania worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Chamber and Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.

Harrisburg, Pa.-based Team Pennsylvania is a not-for-profit organization established in 1997 to connect private- and public-sector leaders to drive programs to improve the state’s economy and competitiveness.

“Bringing the public and private sectors together to solve our biggest challenges is what we do at Team Pennsylvania,” commented President and CEO Ryan Unger. “We are proud and grateful to partner with The Giant Company on this endeavor that will provide some relief to companies in the commonwealth working tirelessly to keep our agricultural economy and food supply going.”

Part of Ahold Delhaize USA, Giant has been an active supporter of Pennsylvania food vendors and producers. Last June, for example, the grocer launched PA Preferred shelf tags at all of its Pennsylvania stores to make it easier for customers to find products grown or made in the state.

During the coronavirus emergency, Giant has taken an array of steps to keep its stores safe for shoppers and employees while supplying food to Pennsylvanians and other customers across its Mid-Atlantic trade area. In late March, for instance, the retailer launched new social media campaign called #MoreForAll to urge shoppers not to hoard groceries.

Related:Ahold Delhaize sees U.S. comparable sales jump 34% in March

“Our collaboration with Team Pennsylvania is the latest effort Giant is undertaking as we do our part to help the commonwealth through the pandemic,” Bertram added. “With these emergency grants, we hope to provide some relief to keep people employed, strengthen businesses and keep Pennsylvanians fed.”

Overall, Giant has nearly 190 stores, 132 pharmacies, 105 fuel stations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and operates over 125 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery service in hundreds of ZIP codes. 

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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