Stonewall Kitchen, Vermont Coffee Company Donate $19K+ to Vermont Foodbank
Stonewall Kitchen and Vermont Coffee Company have donated$19,720 to Vermont Foodbank. A large portion of the contribution comes through a wholesale partnership, where 5 percent of Vermont Coffee Company’s 32-ounce Friend Blend sales are set aside for the cause.
“Vermont Coffee Company started on the basis of roasting coffee for friends,” Stonewall Kitchen Chief Executive Officer John Stiker said. “It became the company’s mission of how business is done. Coffee is a social stimulus that brings people together where a community is formed. This holiday season, we’re proud to support such a worthy organization that helps so many in need.”
Vermont Foodbank has three distribution centers that serve over 225 food shelves across all 14 counties in Vermont. The Vermont Foodbank is able to turn Stonewall Kitchen’s donation into the equivalent of nearly 33,000 meals.
“The Vermont Foodbank continues to distribute millions of pounds of food to meet the unprecedented need,” Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles said. “With 2 in 5 people in Vermont having experienced food insecurity in the past year, it is crucial that we continue to work together to make sure our neighbors have the food they need and want. The support of Stonewall Kitchen means that our neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive during these challenging times, as we work together to fulfill the promise of a Vermont without hunger.”
To learn more about Stonewall Kitchen’s Family of Brands, visit stonewallkitchen.com. To learn more about how you can help Vermont Food Bank visit vtfoodbank.org or check your state and local resources to support a food bank near you.
Stonewall Kitchen is a leading specialty food, home goods and personal care producer headquartered in York, Maine. Founded in 1991 by partners Jonathan King and Jim Stott, the two established the Stonewall Kitchen brand by selling jams and jellies at local farmers’ markets with a flavorful line of distinctive and high-quality products. Over time, they expanded the brand to include sauces, condiments, crackers and baking mixes, always focusing on innovative product development, beautiful packaging, and exceptional guest service.
Today, Stonewall Kitchen is the premier specialty food and home goods platform in North America, home to a family of premium quality brands including the flagship Stonewall Kitchen brand; the Michel Design Works brand of elegantly designed and crafted personal and home care products; the Vermont Coffee Company brand of high quality, non-GMO, certified organic coffee; the Urban Accents brand of globally-inspired spice mixes, seasonings, and sauces; the Village Candle brand of fragranced candles, gifts and accessories; the Tillen Farms brand of pickled vegetables and cocktail cherries; the Napa Valley Naturals brand of olive oils, culinary oils, balsamic vinegars and wine vinegars; the Montebello brand of artisan organic pasta imported from Italy; the Vermont Village brand of organic apple sauce and apple cider vinegars; and the Legal Sea Foods brand of restaurant-quality seafood sauces and condiments.
The company boasts more than 19,000 stores nationwide and internationally; a thriving catalog and online division; café in York, Maine; and eleven retail Company Stores throughout New England. As winners of 34 prestigious awards from the Specialty Food Association and the recipient of the coveted Outstanding Product Line Honors three times, Stonewall Kitchen is proud to be one of the most awarded specialty food companies in the country.
Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, and housing sites. Food insecurity has increased dramatically as a result of the pandemic and economic conditions. Vermont Foodbank and its network have been on the front lines, working to ensure that everyone has the nutritious food they need. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank provided over 17 million pounds of food to people throughout Vermont. Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation.
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Blue Diamond Growers Names Bockmann President, CEO
Kai Bockmann will join Blue Diamond Growers, the agricultural cooperative and global consumer packaged goods leader, as president and CEO on Jan. 17. The board selected Bockmann after working with executive search and leadership advisory firm, Egon Zehnder, to recruit and consider candidates from across the country. Bockmann will succeed Mark Jansen, who announced his plans to step down after a successful 12-year tenure as CEO.
“The search process went well, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” said board Chair Dan Cummings. “Kai has more than a quarter of a century of global experience growing CPG companies, and we believe he is the leader we need to keep building our business and brand domestically and internationally, while continuing to deliver superior returns to our grower-owners.”
Bockmann most recently served as president and COO at Saputo Inc. – one of the world’s largest dairy companies – where he led operations that included 67 plants and 18,000 employees across the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina and the United Kingdom. From 2017 to 2021, he and his team grew revenue from $11 billion to $14 billion. From 2012 to 2021, the international business he led grew from less than $500 million to more than $4 billion. Prior to Saputo Inc., Bockmann was at McCain – the world’s largest producer of frozen potatoes – where he served as president of the international division and accelerated international sales across 60 export markets, doubling revenues over four years.
“I’m excited by this phenomenal opportunity to join one of the most consistent and fastest-growing food and beverage companies in the world,” said Bockmann. “I look forward to learning from growers and team members and keeping our immediate focus on maintaining business continuity and growth momentum.”
“We’re grateful for Mark’s support during the search and his commitment to helping set Kai and the cooperative up for continued success,” said Cummings. “We’re building from 112 years of success, and we know the future is bright for Blue Diamond because no one knows how to get almonds from growers’ farms to families worldwide better than us.”
Cummings said Blue Diamond’s snack almond business has more than a 50 percent market share in the United States and that Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze is the leading almondmilk brand in the United States, South Korea, Thailand, Brazil and South Africa. In 2021, the company’s net sales totaled $1.6 billion.
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Publix Donates $5M to Support Housing Programs in Southeast
Publix Super Markets Charities is donating $5 million to support more than 240 nonprofit housing programs throughout the Southeast, including 126 Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Since 2014, PSMC has donated more than $33 million to housing programs, strengthening our communities and giving hope by building homes and supporting programs such as emergency shelters and transitional housing for individuals in need.
“We’re committed to helping people in our communities build hope by putting roofs over their heads,” said PSMC executive director Kelly Williams-Puccio. “Our founder, George Jenkins, believed that a home gives individuals and families safety, independence and hope. With this donation, we’re honored to continue his legacy by helping people facing housing insecurity.”
“We’re thankful for Publix Super Markets Charities’ continued support of Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the Southeast,” said CEO and executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Broward Nancy Robin. “While many in our communities continue to struggle with access to affordable housing, the generosity of Publix Charities enables us to help provide individuals and families with the resources needed to become homeowners.”
PSMC began supporting housing programs and Habitat for Humanity affiliates more than 30 years ago, with the first contribution going to Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County (Winter Haven, Fla.). To learn more about PSMC’s efforts, please visit publixcharities.org/hope.
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as Mr. George, believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the foundation with the vision it would continue giving long after he was gone. Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates.
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