EDITOR'S LETTER Making Change Happen
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n our annual "Giving Back" feature on p. 20, we look at five philan- thropically driven companies motivated to make a difference though
donating their time and money. Some built their business model and product line to create jobs or support arts and education, while others
take on fundraising for diseases such as cancer or AIDS and HIV. With social consciousness such an ingrained part of the specialty food trade, it's dif-
ficult each year to narrow the list to only the five we include in the issue. So here are other impressive efforts by suppliers, retailers and chefs who continue to give back in their own
communities and beyond: t Heroes Vodka in Nashville, Tenn., owned by Travis McVey, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, supports veteran and service organizations through its Giveback Partners program. Each year on Veterans Day Heroes Vodka an- nounces its Giveback Partners for the next 12 months, and each company receives a portion of its revenue from that year.
t Scottish shortbread company Walkers, the subject of this issue's Brand Spotlight (p. 57) formed a partnership with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Throughout 2012, Walkers has donated 10 cents from the sale of every package of its Scottie Dogs products to the ASPCA, with a minimum guaranteed donation of $25,000. Walkers re-signed for 2013 with a $50,000 guaranteed donation.
t A Southern Season formed a nonprofit, Share the Food Foundation, to fight poverty and hunger in communi- ties surrounding its Chapel Hill, N.C., store. A Southern Season will donate food while also educating families and school groups about food preparation and nutrition. The nonprofit will be funded by special sales and events as well as from donations, and A Southern Season will pay all administrative costs of the Foundation so that proceeds will be used for hunger-relief efforts.
t Online grocer FreshDirect is working with Yorkville Common Pantry on a new web-based program that allows shoppers to donate FreshDirect gift cards to the food bank. Through the program, YCP—which served nearly 2 million meals to New York's hungry in fiscal year 2012—will be able to purchase food items and schedule deliveries based on its current pantry members' needs.
t Taste Unlimited in Norfolk, Va., brought together five area chefs to host a series of cooking classes that raised more than $11,250 for Lee's Friends, a nonprofit organization that helps those living with cancer. The effort was a tribute to company founder Peter Coe, who passed away from cancer in June 2011.
These are just a few more instances of charitable efforts among our trade; we share many more on an ongoing basis through this magazine and our daily industry newsletter, Specialty Food News. We're eager to hear more about how your company gives back. Please let us know about your philanthropic activities at specialtyfood.com/onlinehighlights or email me directly at dpurcell@nasft.org. |SFM|
By Denise Purcell HAVE A COMMENT? Visit specialtyfood.com/dpurcell/changehappen.
Editor, Specialty Food Magazine dpurcell@nasft.org
facebook.com/specialtyfoodmedia NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012
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