The Heritage Grocers scholarship program will award thousands of dollars to students across the communities served by Heritage Grocers Group, company leaders announced this week. Through a unified effort across its portfolio, the company will provide direct financial support to local students pursuing higher education.
The Heritage Grocers Giving Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Heritage Grocers Group, launched an expanded initiative to streamline scholarship efforts under a single, coordinated vision. As a result, each store within the group’s portfolio will award one $3,000 scholarship to a local student.
The program covers communities served by Cardenas Markets, Los Altos Ranch Markets, El Rancho Supermercado, and Tony’s Fresh Market.
Unified Vision for the Heritage Grocers Scholarship Program
Company officials said the expanded Heritage Grocers scholarship program reflects a broader commitment to educational access. Rather than operating separate initiatives, the organization aligned its charitable arms to maximize reach and community impact.
Those affiliated entities include the Cardenas Markets Foundation, Manos y Corazones Unidos, and Tony’s Charitable Foundation. Together, they will administer the scholarships at the store level.
Adam Salgado, president and executive director of the Heritage Grocers Giving Foundation, said the program aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent students from pursuing higher education.
“We remain deeply committed to opening doors for students in the communities we proudly serve,” Salgado said. “By unifying our scholarship efforts across the organization, we seek to ease the financial burden tied to higher education and empower deserving students to pursue their academic and professional goals.”
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$3,000 Awards at Every Store
Under the Heritage Grocers scholarship program, each store across the company’s portfolio will select one recipient. Every winner will receive a $3,000 award.
Organizers will evaluate applicants based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership qualities, and a demonstrated commitment to community service. The foundation designed those criteria to identify students who not only excel in the classroom but also contribute meaningfully to their neighborhoods.
Because each store selects a local recipient, the program ensures funds remain within the communities where employees and customers live and work. That local focus strengthens ties between the grocer and its customer base.
Moreover, the initiative reflects a long-standing tradition among Hispanic- and community-centered supermarkets of reinvesting in education. By formalizing and expanding the Heritage Grocers scholarship program, the company positions itself as a consistent advocate for student advancement.
Application Process and Deadline
Students interested in the Heritage Grocers scholarship program can access applications via the designated links on each banner. Applicants must complete the online process using the program key “HeritageGrocers.”
- Cardenas Markets and Los Altos Ranch Markets: Scholarships – Cardenas Markets
- Tony’s Fresh Market: The 2026 Scholarship Program – Tonys Fresh Market
- El Rancho Supermercado: https://www.elranchoinc.com/scholarships/
The application deadline is March 21, 2026.
Officials encourage students to review eligibility requirements carefully and submit materials well before the cutoff date. Because each store awards only one scholarship, competition may be intense in certain markets.
Nevertheless, company leaders believe the investment will create lasting returns. As students complete degrees and enter the workforce, many may give back to the same communities that supported them.
Strengthening Community Through Education
Heritage Grocers Group operates stores across several states and serves predominantly Hispanic and multicultural neighborhoods. By expanding the Heritage Grocers scholarship program, the company reinforces its broader mission to support economic mobility and community growth.
Education is often the most direct path to long-term opportunity. Therefore, leaders view these scholarships not as one-time gifts but as strategic investments in future professionals, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders.
Ultimately, the program signals a clear message: local grocers can play a decisive role in shaping the next generation. Through direct financial support and a structured selection process, the Heritage Grocers scholarship program aims to turn academic potential into tangible achievement.