The FMI – The Food Industry Association announced that it had declared February 22, 2021, as Supermarket Employee Day. They want to recognize the work and sacrifices of supermarket employees, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Leslie Sarasin, President and CEO of the FMI, officially launched the proclamation. She invited supermarkets across the country to participate and celebrate the well-deserved recognition of these essential workers.
“When the rest of the world went into home sheltering, millions of supermarket employees came to work daily to keep shelves stocked and to provide communities with essential services that helped them survive and thrive,” Sarasin said.
“Quite simply, supermarket employees have earned the world’s and the nation’s gratitude—which is why we are creating a holiday to celebrate them,” added the CEO of the FMI.
In her message to the grocery industry, Sarasin highlighted that supermarket employees had maintained a high level of customer service during the pandemic. They were making a difference in people’s lives, from implementing and practicing CDC guidelines in stores to feeding those most in need.
The FMI developed a web page with free access to several resources for supermarkets and those interested in the grocery industry to help them celebrate Supermarket Employee Day.
The association also invites businesses to work with local governments to proclaim February 22 as Supermarket Employee Day officially. A model of the proclamation can be found on the IMF website.
Why Supermarkets and Their Employees are Important in the Life of the Communities They Serve
Supermarkets are the backbone of our communities.
- The food and grocery industry is a critical cornerstone of our society’s infrastructure.
- There are more than 40,000 stores that sell food and grocery items in the U.S. alone.
- Millions of supermarket employees come to work daily to keep shelves stocked and to provide communities with essential services that help them survive and thrive.
- Supermarkets are the center of their respective communities touching every life around them.
Supermarket employees have always been frontline heroes during periods of crisis.
- In the face of natural disasters – hurricanes, blizzards, fires and floods – supermarket employees keep communities going.
- In the face of unthinkable terrorism, like 9-11, supermarket employees kept their communities going.
- Supermarket employees maintain the critical pipeline of food and health supplies that sustain the health and well-being of their customers.
- Supermarket employees also volunteer countless hours and contribute valuable support to community service.
Supermarket employees are helping us to stay strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- When COVID-19 shut the rest of the world down, supermarkets stayed open.
- Food retailers work with consistency so everyone else can stay socially distanced.
- Millions of supermarket employees come to work daily to keep shelves stocked and to provide communities with essential services that help them survive and thrive.
Supermarket employees have earned our gratitude.
- Despite of supply chain disruptions or work-force reductions, supermarket employees have demonstrated trojan efforts to keep communities going.
- Supermarket employees have personified compassion and courage when communities have most needed to be encouraged.
- Supermarket employees have redefined the term community service.
- Supermarket employees are heroes.