Supermarkets as Community Cornerstones

By: David Fikes, Vice President, Consumer/Community Affairs and Communication, Food Marketing Institute

The leaves putting on their annual cavalcade of color and the emergence of sweaters and fleeces are just a few of the signs that fall is upon us.  Customers are apple picking, making pumpkin spices and enjoying a cornucopia of autumnal activities. Something about the harvest time weather seems to awaken a spirit of community and giving; fall festivals, food drives and donations are happening in neighborhoods throughout America. Though we may button our coats against the cool air, our spirits are warmed as once food retailers live into their heritage of being neighborhood cornerstones by serving as the driving force behind these community and charitable events. 

At FMI, the fall season also means the annual kick-off of our Community Outreach Awards program. These awards are FMI’s platform to showcase the goodwill and community programs spearheaded by neighborhood food retailers. Over the years, we have seen creative initiatives from retailers large and small engaging their community and inspiring others with a message of hope and encouragement.

FMI is proud to contribute a $1,000 donation to three top programs, with one awarded from each of the following categories:

• Youth Development Programs: Those events and activities on education, employment, job readiness, mentoring or tutoring
• Programs Addressing Hunger: These include food drives, food bank donation programs, commitments to increase access to fresh food in underserved areas
• Neighborhood Health Improvement Programs: Such as blood drives, health related runs/walks, sustainability and nutrition education

All submissions will be posted on FMI’s Facebook page and the community outreach nominee story with the most likes will also be awarded a $1,000 contribution to their program. All programs will also be featured on FMI’s website and in a video as creative inspiration for other food retailers and to further spread the good deeds done by supermarkets. This program truly embraces FMI’s mission of “feeding families, enriching lives” and I encourage each of you to submit for this year’s awards. Click here to submit your Community Outreach Award nomination today and help us share the good work you’re doing.