Grocers’ Partnership with Feeding America® Provides Much-Needed Aid to Local Area Food Banks
Modesto, Calif., June 5, 2013—Save Mart Supermarkets today announced perishable grocery donations from the chain’s 226 stores topped one million pounds in the first quarter of this year (January – March). The food, which includes bakery, dairy, deli, frozen products and produce items, is collected daily by local area food banks as part of the Fresh Food Rescue program launched in March 2012 by the Modesto, California-based grocer and Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization.
“We are honored to work with our partner Feeding America on the Fresh Food Rescue program,” said Save Mart’s Public Affairs Director Alicia Rockwell. “This vitally important initiative allows us to channel perishable food items that are no longer saleable, yet still safe for consumption, into the hands and the homes of many families in our communities who would otherwise go without. Our goal is to donate a total of four million pounds of perishable groceries by the end of the 2013.”
According to Rockwell, store personnel follow strict guidelines to ensure the integrity and safety of all donated food. Preparation of product includes removal from the sales floor, freezing, separating, and labeling for pick-up.
“We value our long-standing partnership with Save Mart and the passion we share in the fight against hunger,” said Eric Davis, director of retail product sourcing for Feeding America. “The one million pounds of food they donated between January and March through Fresh Food Rescue provided 882,000 nutritious meals to our neighbors in need, and that is truly appreciated.”
About Save Mart Supermarkets
Save Mart Supermarkets, a California corporation, owns and operates 226 stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada under the Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, Maxx Value Foods, and FoodMaxx banners. Headquartered in Modesto, Calif. since the company was founded in 1952, Save Mart Supermarkets has always believed in supporting local suppliers and producers, and is actively engaged with the charities and causes of the communities where its stores do business. For more information on the stores of Save Mart Supermarkets, please visit www.SaveMart.com, www.LuckySupermarkets.com, and www.FoodMaxx.com
About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.