Southeastern Grocers, Customers Donate $500K for Disaster Relief
Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support vital emergency assistance, disaster preparedness and disaster relief programs for communities in need. This donation includes $250,000 to SEG’s long-standing partner through the generous contributions of customers and associates during its recent community donation program held in all Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores.
The grocer’s charitable arm, the SEG Gives Foundation, donated an additional $250,000 to the organization earlier this year in preparation for hurricane season and disaster relief. Every cent donated will support the Red Cross Disaster Relief in helping families and individuals as they recover from natural disasters through food, shelter, counseling and other needed assistance.
Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “After experiencing Hurricane Ian’s devastating force over our Florida communities, we’ve witnessed firsthand how the American Red Cross provides a lifeline to neighbors in need on the long road to recovery. We are humbled by our customers and associates who generously donated at our registers throughout the five coastal states we serve, and their support allows us to continue to stand with the Red Cross to support their crucial storm recovery and relief programs to strengthen and rebuild our communities when they are most vulnerable.”
Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers and associates throughout the Southeast supported the program by donating $1, $5 or rounding up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar while shopping their local stores during the month of September. Following the vast devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, the donation program was extended through Oct. 18 in Florida stores to further support recovery and rebuilding efforts for affected communities.
Additionally, SEG immediately responded after the storm to ensure its associates and neighbors were taken care of by dispatching mobile pharmacies and providing essentials like bottled water, ice, nonperishable food and cleaning supplies to more than 2,000 Southwest Florida families.
SEG has a long-standing partnership with the Red Cross, a national nonprofit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies through the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Last year, SEG, together with the SEG Gives Foundation and generous customers, donated more than $815,000 to aid and support disaster relief efforts.
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FMI: Consumers Adapt to Economy, Modify Holiday Grocery Budgets
This year, typical holiday stress is exacerbated by inflationary concerns, with 62 percent of shoppers reporting their grocery costs have increased year-over-year. Despite inflation-induced concerns, average weekly household grocery spending is currently at $148 per week, which is down from the $161 peak during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food Industry Association released Part VI of its U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends 2022 series, “Holiday Shopping.” The final release from the expansive survey of food shoppers’ journeys explores the sentiment and behaviors of consumers as they head into the holiday season.
Heading into the holiday season, 45 percent of consumers report being most concerned about rising meal prices as compared to other holiday expenses. Fortunately, most shoppers indicate they are in control of their grocery budgets, with 71% of consumers making some adjustment to their holiday meal shopping to adapt to the changing economic landscape. This indicates that shoppers are still able to find budget-friendly items to meet their needs.
To mitigate increased costs, consumers say they are:
- Looking for deals (28 percent).
- Choosing store brands (21 percent).
- Enjoying more homecooked meals (20 percent).
- Making fewer dishes overall (17 percent).
- Substituting more affordable options (17 percent).
- Encouraging guests to bring dishes (17 percent).
- Spending less in other categories to provide holiday meals (17 percent).
“Food is the centerpiece for so many of our holiday gatherings. Despite inflationary pressures, consumers are determined to enjoy the festivities this year as they normally do,” said Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI. “The food industry is working tirelessly to keep costs down and to ensure that our timeless traditions can continue during this holiday season.”
Shortages were a hallmark of the pandemic across many industries, but progress made by food retailers and suppliers to curb widespread supply chain issues has kept consumer confidence up heading into the holidays. Only 27% of consumers report being “very concerned” about food items needed for holiday meals being out of stock.
Shoppers are resilient and if they run into stock issues when holiday food shopping, 50% report they would try something new, while 36 percent would look for a new recipe.
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ASAP.com Launches Home, Office Food Delivery in NYC
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ASAP.com, the on-demand delivery brand for Waitr Holdings Inc., has launched home and office food delivery in New York City.
Beginning home delivery service in New York is the latest substantial step for the company, as it builds its brand in the Tri-State area. Earlier, ASAP.com secured the exclusive mobile ordering rights with MetLife Stadium, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, and started food delivery in multiple cities in New Jersey.
“The debut of home and office restaurant delivery in New York City marks an important step for ASAP as customers get more acquainted with the brand in the Tri-State area,” said Carl Grimstad, CEO and chairman of the board of ASAP, Inc. “Fans tell us they love using ASAP at MetLife Stadium, and they’re now excited to be able to experience the same excellent standard of service in the comfort of their own homes.”
ASAP.com is known for community outreach and giving back to the cities that it serves.
“We are very fortunate to be the official mobile ordering partner for the Jets and Giants, as it has allowed us to establish and support local grassroots efforts through the Jets and United Way’s Hometown Huddle; and the Giants’ Adopt A Firehouse program,” Grimstad said.
Just last month, in honor of Sept. 11, the New York Giants in partnership with ASAP.com visited a local firehouse as part of the Adopt A Firehouse program. Players from the Giants met with the local firefighters of FDNY Engine 24 Ladder 5, while ASAP dropped off a special food delivery to the station, located at 227 6th Ave. in New York. Giants players had a chance to visit and talk with the firefighters before sitting down to eat with them. ASAP delivered the meals straight to the firehouse from Virgil’s Real Barbecue.
In addition to food delivery, ASAP.com offers delivery of a wide variety of items, utilizing its “deliver anything ASAP” model. Products available for delivery include alcohol, grocery, convenience and retail.
