IN THIS TOGETHER A steady hand. During good times, it’s easy to keep a steady hand. But when life throws curve balls like the world has never seen, those steady hands can become shaky rather quickly. At Associated Wholesale Grocers, we have thousands of examples of strong, steady hands keeping grocery stores running, true purveyors of hope for our communities. And there are thousands of steady hands at AWG supporting those ESSENTIAL pillars of communities in the 28 states we serve. We’ve been constantly tracking how our industry is changing long before the current crisis and we’re focusing even closer on how the current situation will change things even more. We have long prided ourselves on the lowest cost of goods. But now, and in the future, our retailers need far more than that. Everything from e-commerce to merchandising, digital marketing to support as we navigate through this crisis together. We have helping, steady hands for every area of your store. We have prided ourselves on being that steady hand for the Supermarket Superheroes that make up our membership for almost 100 years. That’s because we are...
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President’s Message
‘The measure of achievement is ... doing something that you appreciate, something you believe is worthwhile.’ —Julia Child william j. hallan
MRA President and Chief Executive Officer
I often think about how my children will remember this pandemic. Perhaps my 4-year-old is too young to have lasting memories, but certainly my 7- and 9-year olds will be affected by the stay-at-home order and school cancellation. They miss their friends, extended family, and yes, even school. But we’re trying to find the silver linings and keep them busy, as I’m sure all of you with children are doing as well. A favorite activity has been our cooking challenges. I’ll give my daughter, Olivia, the names of three well-known chefs, and her job is to look them up online and select some of their recipes she’d like to make. She is ambitious, and her selections have included eggs Benedict, coq au vin and soft pretzels. Candidly, one error I made was selecting Gordon Ramsey — all of his recipes follow the metric system and converting each ingredient was a bear. In addition to creating some positive memories, each recipe is an opportunity for us to appreciate the vital role that the food industry plays during these uncertain times. We’ve had some obscure ingredients on our lists; and, I’m happy to report, our local grocery stores have carried every item we’ve needed. Grocers, other retailers and suppliers have more than proven their mettle during the last several months. It is simply mind boggling to step back and consider the hoops the industry has jumped through to continue operating in these unprecedented times. Grocers have implemented strict social distancing guidelines, deployed PPE to employees, restricted customer occupancy, increased store sanitation, tested employees for symptoms and pushed supply chains to the max. Further, you have all had to comply with ever-changing regulations when tensions are high and customers are anxious. While other industries are able to continue operations
through remote procedures, front-line food industry employees show up each day to serve their customers. For a snapshot of some of the ways our industry has met the challenges with compassion and humor, see pages 11-13. The pandemic has changed how people think about the food industry. For example, Fisher-Price recently launched new toy designs that pay respect to everyday heroes including grocery workers who are keeping communities fed. It’s great to see such well-deserved recognition. And all net proceeds from the #ThankYouHeroes collection go to an initiative to support front-line health care workers and their families. It’s an honor to represent an industry that is resilient, and I sincerely appreciate the hard work and long hours each of you — retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and service providers — have put in. I am encouraged by the downward trend of COVID-19 cases. Gov. Whitmer’s recent order loosening restrictions for all retail businesses is another indication that, while we’re not out of the woods yet, we’re on the right path. Thank you to all our food industry workers. You’ve given Michigan residents comfort and provided many of us with lasting family memories.
Michigan Grocers Division Advisory Board William J. Hallan, President Jim Gohsman DJ Oleson Michigan Retailers Association SpartanNash Oleson’s Food Stores Rich Beishuizen John Leppink Don Symonds Country Fresh Leppink’s Food Centers Lipari Foods Craig Diepenhorst Ken McClure Thom Welch H.T. Hackney Kroger Company of Michigan Hollywood Markets Dave Duthler Bryan Neiman AMRA Energy Neiman’s Family Market Jim Forsberg Arctic Glacier Premium Ice Michigan Grocers is a division of the Michigan Retailers Association
Little People® Community Champions Special Edition Figure Set is part of Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes collection. William J. Hallan Publisher Lisa J. Reibsome Editor, Layout & Design, Ad Sales (517) 449-2256 MGAReibsome@comcast.net
Publisher does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers in business competition. © MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS 2020 MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 3
what will grocery stores be like post-pandemic? Which COVID-19 pandemic behaviors will have a lasting impact? Michigan Food News asked three industry experts to weigh in. Retail Food Industry Consultant Michael Sansolo, FMI President & CEO Leslie Sarasin and NGA Senior VP of Communications & External Affairs Laura Strange share their insights and predictions to help you prepare for the post-pandemic world. —By Lisa J. Reibsome, Editor 1. During the pandemic, online grocery shopping increased — with some trying it for the first time and others using it more often. Will this continue as the crisis subsides? Sansolo: None of us can actually know what will happen next, so making predictions is always dicey. However, the current situation goes many steps beyond that. Frankly, we are in truly uncharted waters thanks to the incredible combination of COVID-19, the panicked shopping that preceded widespread lockdowns and the looming prospect of a deep recession or worse. With that in mind, here’s my shot at what might happen next. I’ve heard the quote that Amazon usually thinks and plans four quarters ahead, but the COVID crisis has accelerated the growth of e-commerce by many times that amount for Amazon, for traditional retailers and, of course, for many shoppers. So it’s difficult to plan. In many ways, it is highly likely that a portion of shoppers, having now tried online grocery shopping, will continue this behavior. However, many other shoppers are missing the human interaction of in-store shopping and the ability to wander around a store and make choices. If retailers can build on the positive parts of the in-store shopping experience, it is possible that this very strange period could lead to a new appreciation of in-store shopping. However, it’s way
more likely that convenience will win out, and a substantial portion of sales will move permanently online. Sarasin: The novelty of the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis makes it very difficult to predict whether — or to what extent — the shopper behaviors we’ve identified during this time will continue. Much depends on the degree of control we have over the virus spread and the extent to which we can safely re-establish life as we used to know it. At this time, that remains uncertain. That said, there are past situations where consumers were compelled to assume a different shopping pattern that might be instructive now. For instance, for years private brands struggled to establish a significant foothold in the marketplace. Then the recession happened a decade ago and more customers turned to private brands as a viable option. As we emerged from the recession, we saw things revert a bit; but private brand sales remained at a higher level than they were pre-recession. It appeared some folks just needed the push to try private brands. In this same regard, during this emergency we are tracking the quantum jump that’s motivating online grocery shopping. The pandemic may have provided the push for some to try it, but it remains to be seen if it sticks at this level in the long term. continued on page 6 MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 5
What will grocery stores be like post-pandemic? continued from page 5
Pre-coronavirus, FMI recognized that the food industry was at an inflection point regarding online grocery shopping. In January 2020, we projected that online food and beverage sales would equate to $143 billion by 2025, representing about 18% of an expected overall $800 billion in combined online and in-store spending for food and beverage at home. But then the COVID-19 factors hit; and almost overnight, the number of online shoppers more than doubled. Each year we work with Nielsen to adjust our predictions; but clearly, this situation is going to dramatically change those numbers. During the height of the pandemic demand, many stores redeployed existing teams to the online shopping space, and some have remained there. Of course, all this happened while stores were also trying to manage both the product demand surge and locally imposed sanctions on store operations. Indications are that not everyone will continue ordering online at the depth they were; but many now have online in their shopping repertoire and are continuing to use it more than they did pre-crisis. Our industry is responding with additional online staff, and some stores are piloting pick-up-only store formats. 2. During the pandemic, stocking up has become more common among all ages; but in particular, younger generations — who are used to getting things immediately — are learning the importance of bulk buying. To what degree will this behavior continue? Sansolo: There is a major economic issue here. Many shoppers cannot afford to stock up, so the behaviors they showed during the pandemic might melt away quickly. In addition, after major storms we all make plans to be better prepared, but regular habits return quickly. I don’t
“It is possible that this very strange period could lead to a new appreciation of in-store shopping. However, it’s way more likely that convenience will win out, and a substantial portion of sales will move permanently online.” —Michael Sansolo 6 MAY/JUNE 2020
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“There might be incredible pressure coming to eliminate me-too items and endless line extensions.” — Michael Sansolo
“The industry is preparing for a return to fewer household trips, a narrowed store selection and a resurgence of the stock-up approach to grocery buying.” —Leslie Sarasin
think, long term, we will see a major move by shoppers to stock up in preparation for future problems. Sarasin: When I began my FMI tenure in late 2008, we commonly used terms like ‘stock-up trip’ and ‘fill-in function.’ Then the convergence of several trends — the dramatic expansion in the number of channels shopped and the rise of shared shopping within households — began to challenge that vocabulary because shoppers were shifting to a more constant cycle of filling in. It appeared that the traditional stock-up trip was headed toward becoming an entry in the history books. Then COVID-19 made households rethink their shopping patterns; such that we’ve seen a return to limiting the number of shopping trips, restricting who in the household does the shopping and scrambling to find the stores where they get the most from the fewest outings. Suddenly, stocking up is back in fashion and bulk buying has moved beyond club stores to become the grocery-buying norm. Some experiences become a defining moment for a generation and forever color the way people think and react. Those who lived through the Great Depression had their economic psyches shaped by its impact on their lives. With COVID-19, some Americans experienced massive out-ofstocks for the first time; some had the novel experience of having to wait in line to enter a grocery store; and others had to conform to never-before-seen restrictions within the grocery store — one-way aisles, mask requirements and purchase limits. It remains to be seen how deeply these experiences will affect grocery shopping; but in the short term, the industry is preparing for a return to fewer household trips, a narrowed store selection and a resurgence of the stock-up approach to grocery buying.
3. What changes will we see in supply chain operations? Sansolo: The industry has moved heavily in the past two decades toward a leaner supply chain, and I can’t imagine that will change going forward. The costs of maintaining large, non-moving inventories of cleaning supplies and household goods is simply too high. However, I do expect many retailers to examine their product assortment. The mad rush to stock up clearly showed which products need more facings and which are over-represented on the shelves. There might be incredible pressure coming to eliminate me-too items and endless line extensions. Sarasin: I think dissertations will be written on what COVID-19 taught us about supply chain operations. We have learned that the supply chain is resilient, and that we can make necessary adjustments to accommodate a sudden shift in demand, but we need to become nimbler and quicker on our feet to do so. FMI has been saying for years that better communication is needed up and down the supply chain, and we’ve been busy creating opportunities for that increased conversation and collaboration. Overall, we adjusted to the emergency pretty well, but it took us a while to get the pacing practices in place — both at the supplier and retail levels — that enabled us to better manage panic-buying. Also, when restaurants and foodservice were restricted, it took us a while to figure out how to divert the supply stream to the retail outlets where it was needed to address unprecedented demand. We eventually got there, but there were some bumps and bruises along the way. Clearly toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning products were in high demand, and we must look at the steps we should have in place to be ready when demand shifts in those categories. But honestly, there likely isn’t a grocery category that doesn’t have some COVID learnings. We saw commodity after commodity go through its particular crisis — from questions about price to supply problems. Much of the learning has been in the realm of communication efforts and what it took to keep shoppers calm and trusting in the resiliency of the supply chain. 4. Will shoppers maintain a heightened concern over cleanliness/sanitation? If so, what will this impact? Sansolo: This is a fascinating question because behaviors and awareness have shifted so much. Sampling will be back, but it will be far more controlled than in the past. I don’t think we will see the return of ‘help-yourself’ displays. We might also see more acceptance of safe behaviors such as shoppers more carefully selecting produce to avoid touching too many products with bare hands. And hand sanitizer stations are here to stay. Strange: Heightened concern over cleanliness will remain as we continue to recover. It will take a while for customers to gravitate back to in-store mainstays like salad bars, hot bars and self-service pastry cases. Those features could be replaced by more grab-andgo prepared food offerings and other contactless experiences. Presliced meats and cheeses, which have been increasing in popularity, could remain the exclusive stand-in for service deli counters, at least in the short-term.
Michael Sansolo Management, Retail & Consumer Specialist A previous Michigan Grocers conference speaker and former editor of Progressive Grocer, Sansolo is a recognized food retail expert.
Leslie Sarasin President & CEO FMI – The Food Industry Association A previous Michigan Grocers conference speaker, Sarasin served as president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute before joining FMI in 2008.
Laura Strange Senior Vice President Communications & External Affairs National Grocers Association Strange served as communications director for a member of Congress and worked in political affairs for a Fortune 500 company before joining NGA in 2013.
continued on page 9 MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 7
SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY DURING THIS UNPRECENDETED TIME
Locally produced in Michigan Herbruck's Poultry Ranch - Saranac, Michigan • www.herbrucks.com
What will grocery stores be like post-pandemic? continued from page 7
5. What safety precautions will grocers continue to take as the crisis subsides? Sarasin: COVID-19 has served as a rather harsh teacher, forcing us all to learn lessons in personal hygiene and social interaction practices. As cornerstones of their communities, grocery stores will be vigilant in retaining current practices, even creating new protocols to keep customers safe and healthy. I think hand-washing, masks, maintaining healthy distances and a number of other pandemic precautions are going to be with us for a while. Strange: Grocers will continue to work with federal, state and local health officials to ensure the health and safety of their store associates and customers. According to an April survey by digital marketing firm First Insight, during the pandemic, shoppers feel safer in supermarkets than in other retail venues: 54% said they felt ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ from COVID-19 at grocery stores. That said, there’s plenty that grocers can do to ensure confidence post-pandemic and establish best practices in the event of any future outbreaks. This includes maintaining high cleanliness and sanitation standards, as well as continuing established social distancing and personal protection equipment practices.
“It will take a while for customers to gravitate back to in-store mainstays like salad bars, hot bars and selfservice pastry cases.” —Laura Strange
6. Prior to the crisis, shoppers clamored for fresh and organic products. During the crisis, processed food sales increased. Will process foods continue to make a comeback?
However, consumers still hold those values; and as the panic continues to abate, demand for organic, sustainably raised or ethically sourced products will return. The wild card in this is the possible return to a bulk buying/stockup pattern of shopping. Many shoppers who stockpiled canned and frozen items learned about their nutrition, sustainability and value in reducing food waste. They may now prefer those items based on those values. A byproduct of the COVID-19 experience may be some consumers diving deeper into what ‘processed’ means, because all foods are processed in some way. This may drive them to get greater clarity about which processes are actually more aligned with their values.
Sansolo: This is another fascinating question. There’s no doubt that some shoppers will instantly return to previous habits and buy more natural and organic products. However, many were forced to make unexpected choices and may have been satisfied with the frozen and refrigerated items they had been avoiding. The quality of these products has significantly improved, and they make great options for shoppers. Those looking to stock up may turn to these types of items more than they did pre-pandemic.
Sarasin: The pandemic certainly validated the reality of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: As supply options became more restricted, consumers became less demanding about where and how their food was produced. Many of their more esoteric values — ecological considerations, fair labor concerns, production values — took a temporary backseat to just being able to procure food for their families.
7. During the pandemic, more people are eating homecooked meals. Will this trend continue? Sansolo: For years, the grocery industry dreamed of finding ways to get consumers back to the kitchen table, spending more on food at home. The pandemic made it happen; and hopefully, people are enjoying cooking and the nutritional benefits of food prepared at home. So perhaps a small percentage of people will make this a permanent change.
“I think hand-washing, masks, keeping healthy distances and a number of other pandemic precautions are going to be with us for a while.” —Leslie Sarasin
However, we have to imagine there are pent up desires to get out of the house, let someone else do the work and simply return to normal. So overall, I expect eating habits will return to pre-pandemic ways. As stay-home restrictions continue to relax, busy households will again be pressed for time and people will have less time to cook. continued on page 10 MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 9
What will grocery stores be like post-pandemic? continued from page 9
Sarasin: FMI is a strong advocate for eating family meals at home. My hunch is that during the stress of the last several months, more people experienced the health and connection-building benefits of the family meal. They discovered not only that they could manage making meals, but also that there are definite advantages to doing so — and they will seek to sustain the practice. My heart goes out to those for whom the pandemic caused increased isolation and separation from their families. They, more than most, may be looking forward to a family meal. 8. The pandemic brought improved employee wages and benefits. Will they stay that way? Sarasin: This pandemic put the food industry squarely in the limelight at the center of almost every pandemic-related conversation. Consequently, it demonstrated to the world something we’ve always known — that in a crisis, the grocery store is an essential player. Grocery workers have been embraced as true heroes in the public battle to withstand the dangers of this virus and have been venerated for bravely serving the greater common good. The performance of our member companies during this national crisis brought a new level of respect and appreciation to the industry. It also alerted the public to the complexities of the supply chain and how readily we took its flawless performance for granted. Not to be glib, but I think some people saw that the best way you can tangibly change the world, feed a nation and serve the greater good is to work in the food retail industry. That kind of industry enhancement was earned and all the rewards it receives are deserved.
“America’s independent grocers and their store associates have demonstrated tremendous dedication by continuing to conduct their work during these difficult times.” —Laura Strange 10 MAY/JUNE 2020
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Strange: America’s independent grocers and their store associates have demonstrated tremendous dedication by continuing to work during these difficult times. They are heroes, serving on the front lines during this public health crisis, ensuring their fellow Americans have access to nutritious and essential products on an ongoing basis. NGA is working to pass legislation, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations (HEROES) Act, to provide front-line workers with well-deserved tax relief for their commitment to serving communities during this pandemic. This proposal provides income tax relief for those working in a duty station that is part of Department of Homeland Security-designated critical infrastructure up to the first $8,900 per month of pay, as well as payroll tax relief for these individuals up to the first $50,000 of their income to ensure a tax benefit for workers who do not currently owe income tax. To ask Congress to support the HEROES Act, visit www.grocerstakeaction.org. 9. Any additional thoughts or insights to help grocers prepare for the future? Sansolo: As always, don’t get complacent. This crisis made clear how important supermarkets are to shoppers and communities, but you can’t live on that for long. Retailers still need to offer compelling experiences and points of differentiation to keep shoppers in the store and away from e-commerce. When normal returns, and it will somehow, Welcome shoppers back as if it’s the grandest re-opening event of all time. Celebrate the wide variety of choice and product availability that your stores have always offered and look for ways to make the in-store experience even greater. Best of luck! Sarasin: Our industry is strong at forecasting, but we never had to consider more than 90 days outside of inventory projections. The intensity of this national emergency forces us to think differently about how we navigate the supply chain and create more opportunities to plan for crises. We must look further down the highway and simultaneously check our dashboard more carefully to ensure our machine is functioning in a way that will deliver us where the road is taking us and beyond. Strange: Moving forward, consumer engagement will be more important than ever. Stores must proactively build relationships with shoppers through personalized interactions on multiple channels. Staying abreast of changing needs and helping shoppers maintain confidence in your stores is vital. It’s up to grocers to create that sense of community that will help put folks at ease. I think we’ll see independents continue to do what they do best: focus on serving their communities. Editor’s note: Some responses were edited for length and clarity.
Grocery workers SHINE on the front lines during challenging times As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, grocery workers emerged as the lifeline to essentials. They put in long hours under difficult conditions to make sure everyone has access to food, prescriptions, medical supplies and more. Store owners and managers worked to quickly adapt business practices to keep stores stocked and protect employees and customers. Through it all, daily acts of kindness, compassion and humor sometimes got buried under an avalanche of ongoing pandemic updates. Yet resilience, compassion and laughter often won the day. Here are a few examples of some of those times. Please note: Executive order requirements, best practices and guidelines changed quickly as the coronavirus spread, and some photos were taken before Michigan’s mask protocols were implemented. —By Lisa J. Reibsome, Editor
Do unto others: Grocery stores across Michigan are thankful for the kind and generous donations from their communities. From providing food and making masks to helping unload trucks and stocking shelves, employees appreciate the positive feedback and support they receive from their neighbors. Above: Mike Dagenais, co-owner of Elmer’s County Market in Escanaba, thanks Great Lakes First Federal Credit Union for treating the Elmer’s team to pizza. Below: Harding’s Market in Richland was grateful to received 79 masks from the First Presbyterian Church.
Caring builds community: With physical distancing measures in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, Nicki — an essential worker at Ben’s Supercenter in Brown City — wasn’t able to celebrate her birthday with her family. So her work family stepped in and threw her a little party to mark the special day. Below: Ben’s sent a message of thanks for the hand-sewn face masks they received: “Our hearts are filled with gratitude by the kindness of the ladies who worked quickly and diligently to sew masks for all our employees. We would also like to thank Ann’s Fabric Shop for helping us acquire the supplies needed!”
MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 11
Grocery workers SHINE on the front lines continued from page 11
No cars? No problem! Doud’s Market put its own Mackinac Island spin on grocery delivery. Customers have the option to place phone or email orders for dray delivery. With the help of Mackinac Island Service Company, Doud’s delivers free of charge to Mackinac Island residents. Curbside pickup and in-store shopping are also available. Doud’s Facebook page provides updated photos of available products to help customers place phone and email orders.
Grocers answer the call for donations: Riverside Market in Durand makes a donation to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry as the pandemic spikes demand with more people needing assistance. The store has supported the food pantry for several years and appreciates the hard-working community members who volunteer their time to serve. Riverside Market owner Brad Thorsby estimates that they donate about $8,000 to $10,000 a year to the food pantry.
Food truck nourishes essential workers: Meijer’s smaller-format store, Woodward Corner Market, is part of the William Beaumont Hospital campus in Royal Oak. The market’s employees have developed close ties to the medical professionals who’ve become regular customers since the store opened earlier this year. Knowing that those hospital employees are now one of the community’s most vital resources in the fight against COVID-19, Woodward Corner Market wanted to help provide the fuel they need to work the long shifts required during the pandemic. Store Director Natalie Rubino arranged for a Meijer Food Truck to provide free drinks and snacks to hospital employees during key hours of the day. The truck is at the hospital every weekday, providing coffee, snacks and bottled water — all at no charge. It has served more than 1,000 Beaumont employees each day. As an added “thank you,” Beaumont employees also receive 5% off purchases at Woodward Corner Market. 12 MAY/JUNE 2020
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Share a laugh: Several stores put a fun spin on the toilet paper shortage. Cake decorators at Dick’s Food Market in Dorr (left) and Orchard Markets in Spring Lake and Fruitport (above) baked versions of this in-demand item. The stores report that shoppers appreciated the effort to bring some humor to a difficult time. Orchard Markets owner Alex Rogalla reports that, “The Angel Soft brand cake quickly became ‘out of stock,’ so we designed the store brand Our Family cake and let the good times roll.” Dick’s Food Market President Steve Dutkiewicz says that, “The toilet paper cake post on our Facebook site got a lot of chuckles and thumbs up. In fact, since the beginning of this crisis, we have gotten hundreds and hundreds of comments from people thanking us and expressing their appreciation for all the hard work and long hours.”
Signs you’re from Michigan: Eastport Market had fun creating a sign to explain the six-foot distancing rule in terms relatable to Michiganders. Store Manager Peter Klove came up with the idea, and the sign grew as more Michigan-based examples were added to help shoppers visualize the appropriate distance to keep from others. The store reports that reactions have been very positive, with lots of people taking pictures of the sign.
Thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks: McDonough’s Market employees on Beaver Island say it was hard to hold back their tears when they saw the colorful message a local family created for them.
No shortage of kindness: Hollywood Markets donated 300 donuts to staff at the Detroit Medical Center and received this beautiful message of thanks in return. MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 13
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Fresh Coast Market is committed to helping the community
Fresh Coast Market in Traverse City strives to be the most generous business in Northern Michigan. Recently, owners Dave and Jen Sears provided gift cards and meals for Munson Healthcare doctors and nurses among other donations to the community. They also gave away free rolls of toilet paper to customers. “No purchase necessary, no questions asked —just a simple way to serve the community,” Dave says. “We had a good-sized supply of it and people obviously needed it, so we decided to give it away as one more way to do our part during this difficult time.” Dave and Jen also reached out to Morsels — a local espresso bar, bakery and cafe — to see if they could help them remain profitable after having to close down everything except local delivery and online shipping to comply with the state’s shutdown order. As a result, Fresh Coast Market is now selling Morsels’ signature bite-size desserts. Dave reports that their customers love the new product and, as a direct result of the partnership, Morsels was able to call back to work one of their full-time bakers. In total, Fresh Coast supports over 130 local businesses by carrying their products in the store.
Miller Poultry supports community with donations
Herbruck’s donates over 10,000 masks to caregivers
During the pandemic, Miller Poultry donated over 9,000 pounds of packaged chicken to food banks and other organizations and more than $10,000 in funds to local groups that have been unable to host the regular fundraisers they typically rely on to serve people in need. “We supplied packaged chicken to round out 1,600 boxes of food distributed in St. Joesph County,” says Miller Poultry Administrative Coordinator Sally Durbin. “This is just one example of how we’re supporting the community; and, as the need continues, we continue to help.”
Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch donated over 10,000 N95 medical masks to caregivers and medical workers in Michigan. While the masks are typically used for bio-security measures and to wear when caring for egg-laying hens, Herbruck’s made adjustments in company operations, allowing them to donate the masks. The State of Michigan Emergency Operations Center distributed the masks to health care workers across the state while the Sheriff’s Department in Ionia County, where Herbruck’s is headquartered, distributed them to local first responders. MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 15
Michigan residents receive Pandemic EBT benefits
Michigan was approved for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) that provides benefits for children who receive free/reduced school meals. This includes families currently receiving Food Assistance Program benefits as well as those not currently enrolled in the program. Families already receiving SNAP benefits received the additional P-EBT funds for March/April at the end of April. A benefit increase of $193.80 per child was loaded onto their current SNAP EBT (Bridge) card. Eligible families not currently receiving food assistance benefits will receive by mail a pre-loaded EBT card — issued under the name of the oldest student in the household by May 8. Benefits for all eligible school-aged children in the home will be loaded onto this one EBT card.
During these uncertain times, doing all that you can to control and reduce your overall energy expenditures has never been more important. AMRA Energy is here to help. You may qualify for a 22% grant for your solar project, putting money right back into your pocket! We’d love to tell you more. Call Dave today for more information on this and the other ways AMRA Energy can help. Dave Duthler — President AMRA Energy
616-446-2371 Michigan Grocers Division Advisory Board Member
A second round of benefits, valued at $182.40 per child, for all students qualified for the P-EBT program will be issued for May/June by the end of May. Retailers should be aware that the P-EBT issued cards might not have the Bridge logo on the front but may instead list P-EBT on them. These new cards are valid, and customers with the new cards may need some guidance on how to use EBT benefits for the first time.
MRA is here for you
Michigan Retailers Association’s website has updated, detailed information and resources with links to help you successfully manage your business during this COVID-19 pandemic. New items are noted in red with the date they were added. See retailers.com, and click the “Covid-19 Resources” tab. Share Ideas: Join our Facebook group: Michigan Retailers Strategizing Together. Share your ideas and ask other business owners and retail advocates how they’re managing their businesses as we battle this pandemic. See fb.com/ groups/Michiganretailers. Ask Us First: MRA remains ready to assist you — our members. If you have questions or need assistance, email us at askusfirst@retailers.com.
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Hollywood Markets Chairman Bill Welch passes away
Meijer, state partnership helps food insecure Michiganders
A partnership between Meijer, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the state will help feed a growing number of residents turning to food banks during the COVID-19 crisis. Through a memorandum of understanding, now serving as a model for other states, Meijer initially sourced $1.6 million in food products with delivery to Michigan food banks starting in late April. A second-round delivery of $2 million in food products started in early May. Food items provided in the program include canned vegetables and fruit, pasta, hot and cold cereal, and protein products such as canned salmon, peanut butter and canned beans. “This amazing partnership means less Michiganders will go without food during this already incredibly stressful time,” says Food Bank Council Executive Director Phil Knight. “The need is massive, but the unwavering commitment to create food security remains steadfast.”
Hollywood Markets Chairman Bill Welch passed away at age 88. He is pictured here at the 2018 Michigan Grocers’ Food Retailers Summit with his nephew, Hollywood Markets President Thom Welch, accepting the Outstanding Retailer Award on behalf of the entire team at Hollywood Markets, which is led by the Welch family. A Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army, Bill worked at the first Hollywood Market location in Royal Oak when it opened in 1950. Thom says that Bill, along with his brothers Jay and Richard, were the heart and soul of Hollywood Markets. With passion and integrity, they guided the family business as it became one of the leading independent grocers in southeast Michigan. Most recently Bill served as a mentor the for the third-generation Welches, including Thom, who now run Hollywood Markets. You may share condolences and read his obituary on the Sullivan & Son Funeral Director’s website, www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.
SpartanNash, Meijer launch programs to help restaurants
To help local restaurants impacted by COVID-19, SpartanNash launched a pilot partnership with eight West Michigan restaurants. Each participating restaurant created favorite menu items for SpartanNash to sell at D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Forest Hills Foods and Ada Fresh Market locations. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the restaurants to help them remain strong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also supporting local restaurants, Meijer launched the Buy Local Meal Program to show appreciation for its front-line team members. Each of the retailer’s 248 supercenters, grocery stores and distribution facilities is partnering with a local, independent restaurant in its community to purchase meals for its team members. This community-focused initiative is set to continue for several weeks.
Court upholds Michigan’s ban on out-of-state wine shipping Retailers outside Michigan may not ship alcohol directly to Michigan residents, a federal appeals court ruled in April. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled, in Lebamoff Enterprises Inc. v. Whitmer, that Michigan is permitted under the 21st Amendment to impose separate regulations on out-of-state and in-state alcohol retailers. This includes banning direct alcohol shipments to consumers from out-of-state retailers while permitting it for in-state retailers. The ruling reversed a lower court opinion that would have extended the delivery rights to retailers nationwide. “This decisive ruling is a significant victory for Michigan retailers, our business community and consumers,” said MLCC
Chair Pat Gagliardi. “We are very pleased with this unanimous decision that continues to ban out-of-state retailers who want to bypass our three-tier distribution system to poach business from Michigan retailers.” In writing his opinion, Judge Jeffrey Sutton said that in-state retailers “all live with the bitter and sweet of Michigan’s three-tier system — the bitter of being able to buy only from Michigan wholesalers ... and the sweet of being subject only to intrastate competition.” By avoiding purchasing alcohol from Michigan wholesalers, “Lebamoff seizes the sweet and wants to take a pass on the bitter.” But allowing states to funnel alcohol sales through the wholesaler tier is “precisely what Section 2 [of the 21st Amendment] is for.” MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS MAY/JUNE 2020 17
MDARD News
MDARD institutes remote consultation sessions with licensees during COVID-19 response and recovery By Tim Slawinski Food and Dairy Division Director Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a lot of changes in our daily lives, including our work lives, but the mission of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to protect food safety in our state remains a priority. To continue to protect public health and help facilitate safe practices among food operations, MDARD staff will be reaching out to operators via phone to conduct remote consultation sessions with the person in charge at each food establishment. These calls typically take 15 to 30 minutes and involve the several elements listed below. We encourage operators to please be responsive to these calls and take the time to have the discussion with their food inspector. Remote consultation sessions will include: n MDARD inspectors providing resources developed to help operators during this time. n Getting feedback on the current state of operations and discussing how things are being done safely. n Getting feedback on what measures food establishments are taking to protect customers and employees. n Sharing information with operators about best practices being implemented by the food and agriculture industry. n Promoting frequent cleaning and employee hygiene. n Getting feedback on what struggles food establishments are currently experiencing. These sessions are intended to serve two purposes: n First, the sessions are intended to help operators implement practices that will protect public health. This involves discussing practices related to social distancing, sanitation and food safety. As operators make changes to their day to day operations, there can be unintended impacts on food
safety. These sessions will help ensure operators are keeping food safety in mind as they function in this unique time. n Second, the remote consultation sessions provide MDARD’s Food and Dairy Division staff with valuable information about the current risk at our licensees. This information can then be used to adjust our approach for providing guidance and other resources needed by the food and dairy industry to safely operate. As we continue response efforts and begin to move toward recovery, I encourage you to reach out to your MDARD inspector if you have questions or need assistance. Food and agriculture industry-specific COVID-19 resources are available on MDARD’s website at www.Michigan.gov/MDARD. Overall state resources, including public health information and business-related resources can be found at www.Michigan.gov/coronavirus, and federal resources are available at www.CDC.gov/coronavirus. Thank you for all you do as critical members of the food supply chain infrastructure. You and your employees are front-line heroes during this crisis and your vital work to feed Michigan residents is truly appreciated. Please stay safe and healthy. MDARD clarifies license renewal extension Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the renewal deadline for all food establishment licenses issued by MDARD has been extended until 60 days after the declared states of emergency and disaster have ended. Food establishments are still required to renew their licenses, but all late fees for the licensing period of May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021, have been waived. You must pay the 2020-2021 license renewal fee to receive a 2020-2021 license, but any past due fines and fees from 2019 through March 2020 may be paid later. Please remember, your food establishment license must be conspicuously posted. For additional information or questions, contact MDARD’s customer service center at (800) 292-3939.
Take advantage of MRA’s dental/vision open enrollment The open enrollment period for MRA’s Retailers Insurance Company dental plan, administered by Delta Dental of Michigan, and vision plan, administered by VSP Vision, runs now through June 15, with an effective date of July 1. Eligible employees and dependents have the opportunity to enroll for coverage during this time. See retailers.com/member-benefits, and click “insurance programs” for more information. A dedicated customer service team is also ready to assist, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800) 366.3699, ext. 681. 18 MAY/JUNE 2020
MICHIGAN FOOD NEWS
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