Second Harvest North Florida Volume 2 • Issue 5 • September 2010 www.WeNourishHope.org
Feeding Hope
a newsletter for food industry donors
Winn-Dixie's donations a godsend for hungry people Winn-Dixie is proud to support many charities throughout their five-state operating area. Last year, they donated more than $2.6 million to organizations that focus on programs that benefit women and children, hunger, education, and health. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. recently announced the roll-out of its Food Recovery Program. The program provides perishable items to local Feeding America affiliate food banks in the company’s five-state operating area.
donations range between 250 and 300 pounds of useable food each week per store, including foods like bread, meats, cheeses, bagged fruits and vegetables, gelatin desserts, and sandwiches.
“As a grocer, we are concerned about the number of Americans seeking food assistance in today’s economy, and we are very pleased to be a part of the solution,” said Mary Kellmanson, group vice president of marketing for Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. “Our partnership with Feeding America and its network of food banks is making a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger.”
Aside from the food and charitable donations, Winn Dixie has also partnered with Second Harvest in numerous special events. Recently, proceeds from the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open (Nationwide Tour event) benefitted Second Harvest, and the Jacksonville Jaguars' Oct. 18 game will mark the 16th Annual Jaguars Family Food Drive.
Winn-Dixie piloted the program in January 2009, and it has now rolled out to all of its 515 stores. The company estimates it has already donated over 3.5 million pounds of food. Grocery industry average
“This program is a godsend for us,” said Thomas Mantz, executive director of Second Harvest North Florida. “We are grateful to Winn-Dixie for providing this invaluable community service which addresses a very real problem for neighbors on the First Coast.”
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates 515 retail grocery locations in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi.
Helpful information in deciding whether to donate product to Second Harvest: Who are the decision makers? Who at the plant level identifies product that cannot be sold in the primary market, and makes decisions about the product’s disposition? Are these the same decision makers to authorize donations? At what points in the distribution channel are these decisions made (at the distribution center or warehouse level)?
What disposal costs do you incur? We are building case examples of dumping costs for various product categories. Could you share the costs that you take into consideration when you have to send product to the landfill or incinerate your product?
What liability concerns do you have related to donating food? How does the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act factor into your decision making for selling product vs. donating it?
In what markets do you sell? Do you sell to the secondary or tertiary market? With whom do you partner and sell to in this market? Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and Acosta Sales and Marketing donated a total of $25,000 to Feeding America food banks in celebration of Frozen Food Month. The two Jacksonville-based companies’ donation was the result of sales of specific products at the grocer’s 515 stores. The Winn-Dixie Foundation also donated $5,000 to Second Harvest North Florida food bank. Shown in the photograph above taken during the check presentation are (left to right) Christina Curry, business manager of Acosta; Rick Ard, senior vice president of Acosta; Matt Gutermuth, vice president, perishables at Winn-Dixie; Thomas Mantz, executive director of Second Harvest North Florida; Marcus Adair, category manager of frozen foods at Winn-Dixie; David Welch, director of frozen and dairy at Winn-Dixie; Teri Amthor, vice president frozen foods at Acosta; and Mary Kellmanson, group vice president of marketing at Winn-Dixie.
Contact Elliot Darkatsh, food procurement director, to donate inventory by calling 904.517.5554 or e-mailing edarkatsh@WeNourishHope.org.
WE STRUGG L O MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY ARE CHILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN NOT CONCENTRA N THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME.” “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOOD BANK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOWN. WE DO E RYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY ARE CHILDR