Sponsored By

The Giant Company steps up support of organic farming

Partnership with Rodale Institute focuses on farm consulting, training and research

Russell Redman

February 25, 2021

4 Min Read
Rodale Institute organic farm-Kutztown PA.jpg
Rodale Institute's 333-acre experimental organic farm is situated in Kutztown, east of Giant's Carlisle headquarters in central Pennsylvania.Rodale Institute

The Giant Company has partnered with the Rodale Institute, a nonprofit focused on advancing organic farming, as part of efforts to promote more sustainable agriculture and retailing as well as reduce food insecurity.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, said Thursday that Rodale Institute has been a global leader in regenerative organic agriculture for more than 70 years and is regarded as a founder of the modern organic movement. Its 333-acre experimental farm, which conducts research plus farmer training and education — is situated in Kutztown, between Allentown and Reading, Pa.

Giant plans to support three key Rodale initiatives centered on farm consulting, farmer training and research. The institute’s Organic Crop Consulting Services, launched in 2019 with the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, supports farmers aiming to transition to organic by providing one-on-one mentorship with the Rodale’s trained agronomists. Similarly, the Rodale Institute Farmer Training program (RIFT) offers an on-site internship that trains farmers for a career in regenerative organic agriculture and supports the institute’s farm share program, mobile pop-up markets and farmers markets. 

In addition, Giant will support one of Rodale’s ongoing research studies on the link between healthy soil with human health. The programs are aimed at healing people and the planet by increasing organic acreage, training new organic farmers and driving the organic movement through science. 

Related:The Giant Company, Wakefern pursue more sustainable retailing

“Through education, research and training, Rodale Institute is quite clearly leading the charge to transform farming for the better, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have this resource just two hours from our home office,” Giant President Nicholas Bertram said in a statement. “Their important work complements our other environmental initiatives, including offsetting our carbon footprint, creating pollinator habitats and reducing food waste. By partnering with Rodale Institute, the pioneers of organic farming, we are able to support sustainable efforts from the farm to our stores and ultimately to our customers’ tables.” 

Rodale Institute organic farm-workers.jpg

'By partnering with Rodale Institute, the pioneers of organic farming, we are able to support sustainable efforts from the farm to our stores and ultimately to our customers’ tables,

On March 1, Giant will kick off its Healing the Planet campaign, designed to support organizations focused on environmentally friendly initiatives. Besides Rodale Institute, customers at Giant, Martin’s and Giant Heirloom Market stores also can contribute to the Planet Bee Foundation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful at checkout by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar.

Related:The Giant Company brings Flashfood to more stores

“Rodale Institute is proud to have a retail partner in The Giant Company, who provides food for so many in our home state,” commented Jeff Moyer, CEO of the Rodale Institute. “Despite the organic food market reaching $55 billion last year, only 1% of U.S. cropland is currently organic. Now more than ever, it’s critical that food retailers, farmers, and consumers join together to advocate for the food system they want to see, one that heals both people and the planet. The support of a retailer like The Giant Company will allow Rodale Institute to continue our research, farmer training, consulting, and education initiatives to grow the organic movement and build an organic future for all.” 

Giant has engaged in a range of efforts to support local growers and producers as well as drive sustainability in the food supply chain. For example, TV spots by the grocery chain have focused on eliminating hunger, healing the planet and supporting health and wellness, and in June the company established a seven-acre, pollinator-friendly solar field at its corporate headquarters in Carlisle. More recently, Giant expanded availability of the Flashfood app, aimed at helping to reduce food waste, to more stores in December, and earlier this month the retailer launched the HowGood ratings system to help customers gauge product sustainability while shopping. 

Giant also participates in the PA Preferred program by using shelf tags to highlight products grown or produced in Pennsylvania. That also includes PA Preferred Organic, created as part of the 2019 PA Farm Bill to increase market opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers and make the state a leader in organic agriculture. 

“Agriculture grows when we produce what consumers want. Pennsylvania is a national leader in organic sales, and we are investing in organic research at Rodale and in a new PA Preferred Organic program,” stated Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “These targeted investments grow opportunities for consumers to buy what they want and farmers and grocers to earn more. And investing in regenerative farming improves our soil and water so we can keep growing in the future. With this partnership, The Giant Company and Rodale Institute are cultivating that growth and joining us in promoting a healthier, greener Pennsylvania economy.”

The Giant Company operates nearly 190 stores under the Giant, Martin’s and Giant Heirloom Market banners in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as over 150 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery service in hundreds of ZIP codes via the Giant Direct and Martin’s Direct e-commerce brands.

Read more about:

Ahold Delhaize USA

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

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like