Liviri Gives E-Grocer Grant to Montana’s Madison Foods
Liviri has selected the recipient of its first e-grocer grant program: Madison Foods, a locally owned, independent grocery store located in Ennis, Mont. Liviri, the leading innovator in reusable packaging solutions, developed the grant program to award resources to an independent grocer to drive operational excellence and optimize supply chain management for the ever-evolving e-grocery sector.
Madison Foods is the only grocery store in the Madison County area, serving 1,000 year-round residents and more than 4,000 additional seasonal residents during the summer months. Customers spanning a 50-mile radius utilize the grocer’s curbside pickup and delivery options, as Madison Foods is the only delivery option in the vicinity. With an increased demand during the warm summer months, it is more important than ever for the store to keep perishable foods in a temperature-safe zone for long periods of time. Liviri’s reusable, insulated Sprint totes provide an ideal solution.
“We’re honored to present Madison Foods with a grant package valued at over $7,000 to help them increase their e-grocery operational efficiencies and save them time and resources,” said Liviri General Manager Ken Longval. “Madison Foods is passionate about doing everything they can to serve their community, and it is evident they are ready to take their operations to the next level.”
Madison Foods was selected as the 2023 Liviri Independent E-Grocer Grant recipient because it demonstrated a strong need to increase business operational efficiencies for both storing and delivering perishables. Currently, the grocer is utilizing a basic residential refrigerator to keep groceries cold, and outdated coolers to transport perishable foods. While the team at the single location store works hard to keep up with demand, these operational constraints decrease the volume of deliveries it is able to fulfill. Madison Foods was seeking a better system for storing perishable foods after orders were shopped, as well as a better system to keep the foods at the appropriate temperature during deliveries or when storing orders for long periods of time.
“Right now, we have to make multiple trips in order to keep groceries cold during transit, which is not cost-effective,” said Chris Gentry, owner of Madison Foods. “With Liviri’s Sprint totes and a better storage system, we’ll be able to store food for significantly longer times, allowing us to deliver to more of our customers in one trip without worrying about spoilage.”
Madison Foods will be awarded the following:
- $5,000 cash (intended to help cover costs to build up tech platforms, freezers, fridges, and training)
- Liviri Sprint50 Insulated Totes
- Sprint50 Ice Packs and Dividers
- 2 Picking Carts
Liviri Sprint is a line of durable, reusable totes that helps grocers and produce shippers with staging and delivery. High-performance insulation provides flexible options for chilled storage, keeping contents in the safe temperature zone for 12+ hours and reducing the need for onsite and in-transit refrigeration. The products also help eliminate wasteful single-use packaging for a more sustainable last-mile solution.
Liviri is the leading innovator of reusable packaging solutions for thermal performance, operational efficiency and cost-effective scalability. Launched in 2019, and developed alongside leading nationwide shippers, Liviri’s startup strength stems from an Otter Products DNA rooted in protective case designs and thermal performance innovations. We offer the whole eGrocery package through a family of reusable, thermally protective totes and icepacks that provide durable, sustainable solutions to pick, pack, stage and deliver online grocery orders.
Madison Foods has been a locally owned, independent grocery store for 20 years in Ennis, Mont. It provides traditional brand-name items, natural and organic products, gluten-free selections, vegetarian products, bulk foods, and energy bars and drinks.
For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
SEG Mobile Food Pantry to Distribute 70K Turkeys to Families
Southeastern Grocers Inc.is holding more than 20 mobile food pantry events to distribute over 7,000 turkeys to families and individuals experiencing hunger. (Photo: Business Wire)
Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is giving back to its communities facing food insecurity ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday by supporting more than 20 mobile food pantry events to distribute over 7,000 turkeys to families and individuals experiencing hunger. To further its commitment to alleviating hunger in the Southeastern communities it serves, SEG is also launching its annual in-store community donation program benefiting Feeding America – the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.
The mobile food pantry events are designed to reach communities where the need is most significant, including in its hometown of Jacksonville, the Florida Panhandle, Central Florida, South and Southwest Florida, the New Orleans and Acadiana area and the greater Birmingham, Ala., area. SEG recognizes the importance of coming together during the holiday season and is eager to help families get access to the food they need to enjoy a festive meal together.
Raymond Rhee, chief people officer of Southeastern Grocers, said,“We believe in the spirit of giving and the transformative power of gratitude. This is the season to give thanks, and we are honored to share the abundance of the season by distributing turkeys and Thanksgiving meal essentials to families in need. By helping provide nourishment to our neighbors facing food insecurity, we are also fostering a sense of community and togetherness as we embrace the true meaning of the season. Through our ongoing commitment to giving back, we invite our valued customers to join us on this journey as we launch our holiday hunger relief donation program benefiting our long-standing partner Feeding America. Together, we can make this holiday season a special time for all.”
More than 44 million people, including over 13 million children, live in food insecure households, according to Feeding America. To help ensure no one in its communities goes without a warm meal this Thanksgiving, SEG is supporting mobile food pantry events organized by Feeding America partner food banks, including Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Feeding South Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, as well as local nonprofit and military organizations. Community members facing hardship are encouraged to reach out to their local food bank for more information regarding the distribution events and to explore additional resources for sustained assistance.
In the spirit of giving, and to broaden its support during the holidays, SEG is activating its annual holiday hunger relief program to help raise funds and awareness for food insecurity. Now through Dec. 19, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers can help their neighbors in need this holiday season by donating $1, $5 or rounding up their grocery bill. Every cent raised will support Feeding America and partner food banks throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
To help customers stuff their carts with savings this holiday season, Winn-Dixie is offering a “Thanks-Winning” holiday meal for under $30,1 providing customers with a traditional Thanksgiving feast, including a 15-pound or less frozen Butterball turkey and SE Grocers sides. The grocer is providing additional savings opportunities by holding down the price on grocery staples with its brand-new seasonal discount program. Winn-Dixie’s new “Price Hold” program lowers prices on more than 1,000 commonly shopped items to help customers stretch their grocery budget more than ever before. Customers can save over 20%2 on average when shopping items marked in blue Price Hold signage throughout Winn-Dixie stores.
In appreciation of the grocer’s associates, all Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day to give associates a well-deserved day of rest with family and friends. All stores will close as normal Wednesday, Nov. 22 and reopen for regular business hours Friday, Nov. 24.
For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
Sprouts Using Instacart’s Foodstorm to Fill Thanksgiving Dinner Orders
Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural, and organic foods in the United States, is now accepting holiday pre-orders for Thanksgiving. Sprouts is partnering with Instacart’s Foodstorm solution, which will strengthen catering services with a seamless digital platform and enhanced customer experience. Shoppers can order through the Sprouts website.
“Sprouts is committed to providing a seamless customer experience across all facets of our business, and we’re thrilled to partner with our friends at Instacart to bring Foodstorm to Sprouts. This will give our customers a new and convenient way to order better-for-you meals this holiday season,” said Nick Konat, president and chief operating officer of Sprouts.
Thanksgiving pre-orders will be available for pickup on November 15 through noon on November 23.
Pre-orders available at sprouts.com/holiday include:
- Natural Turkeys – no added antibiotics, ever
- Uncured Spiral Ham, no sugar added, gluten-free
- Premium Angus Beef Rib Roasts, all-natural USDA choice, no artificial ingredients
- Vegan Roasts
- Full meal kits available with any main course meat
- Fruit, Veggies & Cheese Trays
- Appetizer Trays
- Sandwich Trays
- Bakery & Dessert Trays
- Seafood Trays
“We are thrilled to share a festive assortment of seasonal better-for-you offerings,” said Scott Neal, chief merchandising officer of Sprouts. “This holiday season, our focus is on providing healthy options for every dietary lifestyle. Celebrate your healthy holiday with organic turkeys, hams, and roasts, and fully prepared holiday meals. There’s always something unique waiting to be discovered, whether it’s a plant-based side dish or one of our award-winning freshly baked pies, we have something for everyone at your table.”
In addition to holiday catering, Sprouts is offering seasonal items for shoppers, available in-store.
Holiday Sides
- Sprouts Gluten-free Rosemary & Sage Stuffing
- Sprouts Plant-Based Cornbread Stuffing
Charcuterie Boards Inspiration
- Champignon Combozola Black Label Blue Cheese
- Boursin Dairy-free Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread
- Freybe Tequila Ghost Pepper Salami
- Brooklyn Cured Trio Beef Salami
- Sprouts Croccante Italian Crackers
- Sprouts Grain-free Crackers
Baked Goods
- Ready-to-decorate Mini Gingerbread House
- Gingerbread Mug Huggers
December pre-orders resume December 4 with pickups available December 15 through noon on December 24. Sprouts stores will be open Thanksgiving Day 7 am – 2 pm; Christmas Eve 7 am – 7 pm; Closed Christmas Day; Open New Year’s Eve 7 am – 8 pm; Open News Year’s Day 7 am – 10 pm (regular store hours).
For more information and inspiration, visit www.sprouts.com/holiday-inspiration-and-recipes/.
For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
