Following the success of the inaugural Supermarket Employee Day in 2021, FMI-The Food Industry Association is once again celebrating the grocery industry and its workers today, as part of the now annual event.
FMI noted that the Supermarket Employee Day’s return reflects the enthusiastic response to its launch last year, including participation from nearly every level of FMI membership, from retailers and wholesalers to suppliers and state association partners.
“Grocery stores are a critical part of the fabric of our communities,” said Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI. “They are the essential pipeline in providing the food and consumer goods necessary to sustain the health and well-being of their friends, neighbors and customers. As the global pandemic persists, supermarket employees remain committed to providing the services, resources and support families need to stay nourished, safe and healthy.
“With more than 40,000 stores that sell food and grocery items in the U.S. alone, there are millions of hardworking frontline heroes to celebrate,” Sarasin added. “FMI looks forward to honoring them once again on this exciting and necessary holiday and calls on all members of the food industry to join the celebration on Feb. 22, 2022, Supermarket Employee Day.”
Grocery retailers across the country are taking time out to recognize their employees today.
“Despite industry challenges with supply chain and labor, our teammates have remained committed to the Schnucks’ mission to Nourish People’s Lives. They are true heroes and we are honored to applaud and celebrate them,” said Todd Schnuck, chairman and CEO of Schnuck Markets, the 111-store chain based in St. Louis. “Over the past year our teammates have continued to adapt and serve our communities while personifying compassion and courage when our customers have most needed to be encouraged. I am proud of our team.”
To thank its essential workers, each teammate that has a Schnucks Rewards account will receive 5,000 points ($10) to use for a break meal. Schnucks has continued to stock break rooms at all stores with snacks and beverages for teammates to thank them for serving customers.
Cardenas Markets will highlight several employees from various areas of the company on its Facebook and Instagram profiles.
California-based Cardenas Markets invites customers to visit its 52 stores on Feb. 22, to thank its hardworking team members. The company also invites customers to honor their favorite Cardenas Markets Team Members on social media and use the hashtags, #SupermarketEmployeeDay and #SupermarketHeroes. In addition, Cardenas Markets will also highlight several employees from various areas of the company on its Facebook and Instagram profiles.
“To recognize our Team Members for their commitment to our customers and our local communities, Cardenas Markets will provide lunch to every Team Member across our geographical footprint,” said Prabash Coswatte, Cardenas Markets’ chief operating officer. “We are grateful and appreciative of their hard work and dedication to Cardenas Markets and the food industry.”
Southeastern Grocers, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is also celebrating Supermarket Employee Day to show appreciation for “all of the invaluable services its associates and fellow supermarket employees have performed, especially over the last two years,” the company said.
“At Southeastern Grocers, our more than 38,000 heroic associates come to work every day to provide their local communities with essential services that help them survive and thrive,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO. “I could not be prouder of what our hard-working, kind and selfless associates have accomplished over the past two years. They truly have become the backbone of their local communities, and I am thrilled to celebrate each and every one of them today and every day.”
Big Y Foods, the 71-store chain based in Springfield, Mass., is also recognizing its employees today.
“We are thrilled to join in this national celebration of Supermarket Employee Day in recognition of the critical role our teams provide to our communities every day. I’m so proud of the efforts of each of our 12,000 employees for their dedication, resilience and care. We all appreciate their hard work and commitment,” said Charles L. D’Amour, Big Y president and CEO.
“On behalf of Big Y, we invite all residents of our community to stop into one of our stores on February 22 to congratulate and thank our local supermarket heroes,” he added. “Better yet, honor your favorite heroes in your social media and use the hashtags, #SupermarketEmployeeDay and #SupermarketHeroes.”
“Supermarket employees have earned our gratitude and respect, which is why we created a holiday to celebrate them,” noted FMI’s Sarasin. “The fact is they always have been frontline heroes during periods of crisis. In the face of natural disasters or global pandemics, these brave and dedicated individuals keep communities strong and moving forward.”
