As readers of this column know, we are always amazed by how giving the companies that make up the food industry are. To wit, this month Giant/Carlisle and Martin’s Food Stores are asking for customers to “Bag Hunger” during September’s Hunger Action month. Customers can donate $1 at the checking during the annual campaign that will run for two weeks.
“The fight against hunger is an everyday battle, and for most it hits too close to home as many families and children go without a meal,” said Tom Lenkevich, president of Giant/Carlisle. “We’re so proud that our customers take action with us as we combat hunger every September during Hunger Action month. Together we can win the fight against hunger in our communities.”
Giant/Martin’s also addresses the need for high-value protein for those who often go hungry by providing meat that would otherwise go unsold to regional food bank partners through its Meat The Needs program. Since 2010, more than three million pounds of meat have been donated to communities from all Giant and Martin’s locations.
Giant/Carlisle’s sister Ahold USA division, Giant/Landover, is also doing its part to support children who would otherwise do without healthy meal options. The Landover, MD based retailer supported The Great American Milk Drive through an in-store campaign to help deliver critically needed gallons of milk to children and families in location communities. Customers had the opportunity to make a $4 donation at the checkout, which equated to one gallon of milk, which resulted in Giant donating $21,924 to food banks throughout its market area, including the Maryland Food Bank, the Capital Area Food Bank, Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and the Food Bank of Delaware.
Milk is one of the most requested items by food bank clients year-round, and it is especially needed during the summer when kids may be missing out on nutritious meals provided through school breakfast and lunch program.
“Giant is proud to have participated in another successful Great American Milk Drive and to have supported the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and our shared initiatives of combating food insecurity and promoting hunger awareness,” said Jamie Miller, manager of public and community relations at Giant/Landover. “We also thank our customers for coming together to help put milk on the table for many families in our community.”
Also supporting the communities it serves is C&S Wholesale Grocers, which last month raised a total of $2 million for six non-profit organizations devoted to pediatric cancer and childhood hunger issues through its annual “Tee Up For Kids” charity golf outing held last month. Locally, C&S contributed $450,000 to the No Kid Hungry campaign in Washington, DC.
“This was a tremendous year where our charity event achieved numerous milestones, solidifying, C&S’ legacy of helping families whose children are bravely battling cancer or facing hunger,” said Rick Cohen, CEO and chairman of C&S. “In the 30 years since its inception, our charity golf outing has been able to donate over $11 million to our non-profit partners. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our customers, vendors, and business partners. Thank you.”
On the subject of the battle so many people fight daily against hunger, The City of Baltimore has announced an initiative designed to attract more food retailers to areas of the municipality under-served by this category, in the hopes that a greater number of residents will have access to fresh, healthy food.
According to the Baltimore Business Journal, “Financial incentives for grocery stores that agree to set up shop in areas that lack access to food, a longer distribution period for food stamps and improving inventory at corner stores and public markets are among the city’s plans for ensuring more Baltimore residents have access to fresh, healthy food. The city also wants to expand farmers markets and look into transportation options to get residents to grocery stores beyond walking distance.”
A new report, issued by the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative and the JohnsHopkinsCenter for a Livable Future, has concluded that “one in four Baltimore residents lives in a so-called food desert, or a geographic area that is more than a quarter mile from a grocery store. The household median income in food deserts is at or below 185 percent the poverty the poverty line and at least a third of the households do not have a car. Children and minorities are disproportionately affected by food access problems, the report found.
The Baltimore Business Journal adds, “City officials plan to use the report, which maps out every grocery store, convenience store and farmers market by council district, to drive new policy that will improve access to food.”
From this writer’s point of view, as a result of the recent unrest that occurred in Baltimore, it’s going to take more than just setting up more places to obtain food, it’s going to take better police enforcement in the inner city, education and job opportunities. The politicians have to lock up the gang leaders and drug dealers that litter the city.
It’s not going to be an easy problem to solve. It will need cooperation from the federal and state agencies along with BaltimoreCity’s elected officials and the responsible citizens of the city, of which there are many. Baltimore is a wonderful city, with wonderful people and a great history. Not only are the good citizens of Baltimore proud of their city, all citizens of Maryland are proud of the city.
While I realize Baltimore’s problems will not be easily solved, if the collective power of the great people of Baltimore and Maryland can’t do something to return Baltimore to its prominent and rightful place in history, then all good works that Baltimore is known for will be forgotten by the future generations.
For the second consecutive year, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter is celebrating its Southern heritage with Carolina Charm, a program shining the spotlight on 16 Carolina brands available at Harris Teeter stores. These brands, some dating back to the early 1800s, epitomize Carolina spirit, rich with family history and individuality. Brands include Hunter Farms, Cheerwine, Snyder’s-Lance, Smithfield, Duke’s Mayonnaise, Texas Pete, Creative Snacks, Butterball, Burt’s Bees, Lindy’s Italian Ice, McCall Farms/Margaret Holmes, Front Porch, Charleston Mix, James Foods, Mt.Olive and Carolina Biso.
The loyalty to the Charm Brands is driven by taste, of course, but also by economics. The Charm brands collectively employ more than 65,000 people, generating billions of dollars in revenue. Harris Teeter employs another 28,000 associates. Supporting local businesses drives money directly back into the economy of the Carolinas.
“Harris Teeter is thrilled with the opportunity to again celebrate our vibrant selection of local products, as well as the hard-working families behind those products,” said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. “Our company was born and raised here in North Carolina, so participating in a program like Carolina Charm allows us to not only put these brands center stage and educate our shoppers on the rich legacy of our Carolina brands, but it also helps us remain true to our roots. From generations of founding families to employees for nearly 40 years, to young entrepreneurs, the people behind Carolina Charm brands, but it also helps us remain true to our roots.”
From generations of founding families to employees for nearly 40 years, to young entrepreneurs, the people behind Carolina Charm brands are profiled in the August issue of North Carolina’s Our State magazine.
Get well wishes go out to Pete Legambi, JOH, who is on the mend after recent surgery. We’re all wishing you a speedy recovery, Pete.
In closing, after a few weeks on Cape Cod, it is nice to be back “home” in Maryland. While we enjoyed our vacation – relaxing and visiting friends and relatives – it’s great to get “back home.” Two new-to-us dining finds are the Sesuit Harbor Café, an outdoor dining clam shack overlooking SesuitHarbor and the Northside Marina in Dennis, MA. Great place for local seafood and beautiful sunsets. We joined our longtime friends Maisie and Peter Wall of Harwich at The Red Pheasant Inn on Historic 6A in Dennis. Housed in a 200-year old refurbished barn with an attached garden room, the inn’s menu features produce from local farms, Cape Cod seafood, farm raised, grass fed beef and an extensive wine and cocktail selection.