As the September issue of Food Trade News goes to press, we are celebrating the autumnal equinox here in the northern hemisphere, when there’s the same amount of daylight as there is darkness in a day. This occurs when the sun moves directly over the Earth’s equator. It also marks the ushering in of the harvest season, a time of gratitude and abundance. Gratitude for the time spent together given the hectic schedules many of us keep and sharing the abundance of the harvest, though this year it may be more difficult than past years with food prices still rising at unprecedented rates. The month of September is both Family Meals Month and Hunger Action Month. This month-long campaign brings attention to the reality of food insecurity in the U.S. and promotes ways for individuals to get involved in the movement to help end hunger for good. Our area food banks and hunger relief organizations like Philabundance, Caring for Friends, Share and Sharing Excess are working diligently to inspire people to not only get involved in September but throughout the rest of the year. This year’s theme is “food shouldn’t be an impossible choice.” Hunger exists in every community in the USA with rural communities and communities of color disproportionately impacted by economic instability, like the soaring inflation rate that is the highest it’s been in 40 years. September 23 is hunger relief day and orange is the color of hunger relief, so please be sure to wear lots of orange this month to show support for ending hunger, and ask your family, friends, and colleagues to do the same.
Of course, area retailers participate in many programs to promote this month.
Throughout September, The Giant Company (TGC) is partnering with its customers and team members to donate funds and product, volunteer, and raise awareness to help eliminate hunger in the communities it serves in honor of Hunger Action Month. “As a grocer, we have the responsibility to feed all people in our local communities and understand the crucial role we must play in supporting our local food banks and ensuring everyone has access to healthy food,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, TGC. “Hunger can affect people from all walks of life and today, food banks are reporting a 50 percent increase in families requesting food, and up to 75 percent more need overall. The Giant Company is dedicated to eliminating hunger in its local communities and Hunger Action Month is a time to inspire action and awareness about the continuing issue of hunger.” TGC has several donation, volunteer, and awareness activities planned throughout the month to support families facing food insecurity. TGC also donated a total of $400,000 to 20 partner food banks across its operating area in recognition of Hunger Action Day. “The Giant Company’s support during this time makes a tremendous difference,” said Jennifer Brillhart, CEO, York County Food Bank. “Long lines are back as a result of increased costs and TGC’s monetary support and volunteerism helps us continue providing food to the many families overwhelmed by inflation.” Last year, TGC, its customers, and supplier partners donated more than $3.1 million to local hunger relief organizations and team members volunteered 7,616 hours throughout Hunger Action Month.
At the beginning of September, Weis Markets announced the launch of its annual Fight Hunger in-store donation program in support of regional food banks in its seven-state market area. The program runs all month. “The past year has seen another surge in food bank demand, which is once again at record levels. Our customers have been strong supporters of the local and regional food banks who work with thousands of our local food pantries, and we invite them to consider donating once again,” said Ron Bonacci, Weis Markets vice president of advertising and marketing. “We’re in this together. As part of our program, we will continue to make corporate donations to our regional food bank partners.” 2022 marks Weis Markets’ 15th annual Fight Hunger campaign, which has collectively raised more than $5 million in customer and company donations. The campaign works with regional food banks throughout its seven-state market area, which help coordinate the program with local food pantries near each Weis store.
What are you doing to fight hunger? Every little bit helps.
Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is known for many things. It is the Cradle of Liberty, the home of Rocky, the hoagie, the best cheesesteaks and passionate sports fans. It is also known for its murals. In fact, Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. According to their website, Mural Arts Philadelphia “envisions a world where all people have a say in the future of their lives and communities; where art and creative practice are respected as critical to sense of self and place; and where cultural vibrancy reflects and honors all human identities and experiences.” To that point, on August 25, the Burns’ Family Fresh Grocer, in collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia, dedicated a new mural, “Sowing Desire,” at The Fresh Grocer located on Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia. It is as an ode to West Philadelphia, the women artists who live, work and shop there, and the long history of community gardens and the importance of fresh food in our lives. “The new mural is an incredible addition to our supermarket and to West Philadelphia,” said Pat Burns, president and CEO of the Burns’ Family Fresh Grocer Supermarkets. “We thank Jane Golden and the entire Mural Arts Philadelphia team for their support and collaboration and congratulate the talented artists who came together to bring beauty and inspiration to our community through their art.” Curator Noah Smalls recommended bringing this mural to life, and three visual artists created its design, including lead artist Wanda Payne and collaborative artists Sheena Garcia and Pauline Houston McCall. Mother-daughter duo, Octavia McBride Ahebe and her daughter Sojourner Ahebe, wrote the mural’s poetry. Renowned public artist and muralist Priscilla Bell, also a member of Women Holler, painted the mural. To celebrate the new mural in the community, Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective was on site with music and drumming fun, alongside live poetry, while a large crowd of community members and spectators joined The Fresh Grocer, Mural Arts Philadelphia and the local artists for the dedication ceremony. At the event, the Burns’ Family Fresh Grocer and Mural Art Philadelphia announced plans to continue their collaboration by bringing even more murals to the wall, which extends a full city block along Market Street in West Philadelphia. Well done!
There are lots of new things happening at the Warminster ShopRite, with Deb Cowhey at the helm. She took over when her husband, industry veteran Joe Cowhey, unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. The store has been totally updated with a fresh coat of paint, new shopping carts and storewide remerchandising by the Wakefern team. These things aren’t the only “new” items put into place by Deb. The store has the first CBD shop inside a supermarket in the Food Trade News footprint. Super Loa, a CBD dispensary with one other location in Bala Cynwyd, has opened inside the store in the spot where a coffee and grab and go once stood. Available to those 21 and older are CBD oils, edibles, topicals, beverages, pet products, delta 8, soft gels and tinctures. The shop is staffed by knowledgeable people who regularly use CBD products themselves and help transform people’s lives. The other new feature at the ShopRite is gaming. Yes, digital casino games have arrived in Warminster. No need to go to Parx Casino a few miles away, one can shop and play casino games all in one location. Kudos to Deb and her team for their innovations.
Brown’s ShopRites, also known for their creativity, have been inviting local entrepreneurs to show and sell their wares in their stores for some time now. This go round, the Paris Fit at Home Equipment line is being featured in three ShopRite locations in Philadelphia: Parkside, Cheltenham and Fox Street. The company sells top quality resistance bands, hip bands and fitness sliders. They have partnered with ShopRite to promote healthier lifestyles within these communities. Three items in the Paris Fit product line will be available at the three ShopRite stores at very reasonable prices ranging from $7.99 – $12.99 and will offer free access to their online fitness app. Noel Davis, the founder and CEO of Paris Fit, is the first personal trainer operating a minority-owned small business to feature an offering of this kind in Philly. The Paris Fit brand specializes in fitness merchandising and provides customers with access to healthy, accessible exercise to meet anyone’s goals – no matter what age, size or shape. Its mission is to encourage people in all communities to participate in physical activity on a regular basis. More than two thirds of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese. In Philadelphia, per the CDC, adult obesity is over 60 percent and for children over 30 percent. With fitness equipment in Brown’s ShopRites, more households will have the tools they need to start working out. Go to www.getparisfit.com for how you can get started too!
A tip of the hat to Philly’s own Dan Croce who has been appointed the SVP of real estate at Sprouts Markets. Dan, who has had an exemplary career, has responsibility for expanding the Sprouts brand across the country, concentrating on the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and portions of the West and Southwest. Congrats, Dan!
Celebrating another trip around the sun this September are: Anthony Gigliotti, Boyer’s Markets; Ed Elborne, Mt. Olive Pickles; Nick Sborlini and Anne Marie Mozzone, Acme Markets; Fran Dolan, Herr Foods; Lauren Eni Canseco, Dietz & Watson; Joe Gardyan, Utz Snacks; Tom Kovacevich, TMK Produce; and Thom Nardi, Paradigm Partners. Buon compleanno a tutti!
L’shana Tovah – a sweet new year to our friends of the Jewish faith as they pray for a good year ahead.
Quote of the month: “A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.” Unknown
Maria can be reached at 443.631.0172 or [email protected]