FMI-The Food Industry Association recognized Northgate Gonzalez Market as one of eight winners of the 2022 Community Uplift Awards for its outstanding work in the social and cultural development of Hispanic youth through scholarship and art contests.
Out of 14 contest nominees, eight were selected as winners for their standout efforts in addressing food insecurity, neighborhood health needs, and youth development, FMI said.
The companies behind these laudable programs are Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, Inc., The GIANT Company, Schnuck Markets, Inc., and Northgate Gonzalez Market.
“Beyond their day-to-day operations, grocers actively support, elevate and inspire their local communities,” FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin said. “The altruistic and innovative contributions of this year’s winners provide clear examples of our members’ unwavering commitment to nourish those in need, empower the next generation, and maximize the wellness of their people.”
Youth Development Programs Winner:
Northgate Gonzalez Market Preserves Culture Through Art and Scholarships. Through its Día de los Muertos Art Contest, educational scholarships, and workshops, Northgate Gonzalez Market equips the youth in its communities with new skills and knowledge while actively celebrating their Latin-American culture and traditions.
Food Insecurity Programs Winners:
Giant Food Fills the Fresh Food Gap with Curbside Grocery and Produce Rx. These programs address food insecurity in Washington D.C.’s Ward 8 and Maryland’s Prince George’s County by providing easier access to purchasing fresh produce options for community members and their families.
Stop & Shop Seeks to Strike Out School Hunger. To prevent New England students from experiencing food insecurity, Stop & Shop developed the “Strike Out School Hunger Program,” which provides gift cards and product donations to 130 school food pantries across the Northeast.
Hy-Vee Fights Food Insecurity with Food Bank Fridays. To directly impact food insecure populations across the Midwest, Hy-Vee developed the “Food Bank Fridays” program to support and fully replenish food banks in its communities.
Neighborhood Health Improvement Programs Winners:
Stop & Shop’s Nutrition Partners Nourish Communities Through Wellness Education. Nutrition Partners, also known as Stop & Shop’s team of licensed registered dietitians, enlivens the health and wellness of the communities they serve through store tours, one-on-one consultations, cooking demonstrations, educational webinars, and free classes.
From Food Desert to Food Oasis: The GIANT Company’s Bleacher Garden. In partnership with Empower at the Bridge Foundation, The GIANT Company converted an abandoned high school’s bleachers into a productive, sustainable, high-yield garden to feed underserved families in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Schnucks Battles Breast Cancer with Treasure Your Chest Program. Recognizing the disparity in breast cancer survival rates between white and Black women, Schnucks created the “Treasure Your Chest” program to incentivize residents of 21 underserved North St. Louis County zip codes to get mammograms.
Giant Food Funds Community Wellness in Washington D.C.’s Ward 8. Giant Food Healthy Living Team provides community nonprofits in Washington D.C.’s Ward 8 and Maryland’s Prince George’s County with Healthy Living Microgrants to educate community members on health and wellness best practices by hosting classes, workshops, and other informative programs.
“FMI applauds all those who submitted a nomination for their selfless and impactful work. Each one reinforces the fact that the food industry will always have the back of its communities and remain a firm ally in addressing the challenges they face,” continued Sarasin.
The eight winning programs will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a commemorative plaque and will be recognized on FMI’s website for their outstanding efforts. Learn more about our 2022 Community Uplift Award winners and the nominees at www.FMI.org/CommunityUplift.