Gourmet News

Publix Donates 1.3M Pounds of Produce to Feeding America Food Banks

Published December 12, 2023

As part of Publix’s ongoing commitment to helping alleviate hunger, the company is purchasing and delivering another 1.3 million pounds of fresh produce to 32 Feeding America partner food banks this holiday season. This donation is in addition to the 1.3 million pounds of produce Publix donated at Thanksgiving.

These donations are part of the company’s commitment through its biannual Feeding More Together register campaign. Publix donates $10 million each year to purchase and deliver produce to Feeding America partner food banks. Customer donations provide shelf-stable and additional perishable food for local food banks and pantries. In 2023 alone, Publix has donated more than 24 million pounds of produce to Feeding America partner food banks.

“As we head into a season that should be full of joy, many families and individuals in our communities struggle to put food on their tables,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “We want to help make this time a little brighter by providing fresh produce for people in need. At Publix, we’re committed to helping alleviate hunger and doing good, together for our communities.”

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 250,000 associates, currently operates 1,359 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 26 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s newsroom at corporate.publix.com/newsroom.

Below are the 32 Feeding America partner food banks receiving produce:

Alabama

Central Alabama Food Bank
Feeding the Gulf Coast
Food Bank of North Alabama
Montgomery Area Food Bank

Florida

Feeding Northeast Florida
Feeding South Florida
Feeding Tampa Bay
Harry Chapin Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Second Harvest of the Big Bend
Treasure Coast Food Bank

Georgia

America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia
Atlanta Community Food Bank
Feeding the Valley Food Bank
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Second Harvest of South Georgia

Kentucky

Dare to Care Food Bank

North Carolina

Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
Food Bank of the Albemarle
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
MANNA FoodBank
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina

South Carolina

Harvest Hope
Lowcountry Food Bank

Tennessee

Chattanooga Area Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Virginia

Feed More
Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank

For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Publix Donates, Raises Money for Tennessee Disaster Relief

Published December 12, 2023

Publix is activating a register donation campaign in the company’s Tennessee stores allowing customers and associates to support disaster relief efforts following the tornadoes and intense thunderstorms that swept through the area on Saturday.

In addition, Publix Super Markets Charities is donating $100,000 to support disaster relief efforts.

The contributions from the register campaign and PSMC will be used to support nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and United Way, enabling them to respond to and help people recover from disasters.

“Our thoughts are with the people impacted by the recent tornadoes and storms in Tennessee,” said Publix Director of Community Relations Dwaine Stevens. “We’re grateful for the donation from PSMC and our associates and customers who support our communities in times of need.”

For 26 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business.

Elmhurst 1925 Brings Fan Favorite OatNog Back for Holidays

Published December 11, 2023

Elmhurst 1925 proudly announces the return of OatNog, just in time for the festive season – and makes a special guest appearance in country music sensation Walker Hayes’ latest music video, “Fancy Like Christmas.” Back on shelves this holiday season at retailers nationwide, it’s the perfect choice for anyone craving the nostalgic and delicious flavor of eggnog without the dairy.

A fan-favorite that year-after-year flies off shelves, OatNog is back by popular demand this holiday season, hitting stores across the country, including Publix, the newest addition to its seasonal retail lineup. Crafted to whisk you into a holly jolly mood from the first sip, Elmhurst’s OatNog is a blend of cozy holiday spices, whole grain oats and buttery cashews that’s so decadently creamy, you won’t believe it’s dairy-free.

“We’re so excited to be bringing back OatNog for the holiday season,” said Heba Mahmoud, senior director of brand marketing and innovation at Elmhurst 1925. “Year after year, our OatNog has been a clear hit with consumers. Winter’s really a time for cozy gatherings where we share these indulgent treats with friends and family. Whether shoppers are vegan, plant-based or just trying to eat healthier, we wanted give them permission to indulge in these festive traditions, so we crafted our dairy-free OatNog as a cleaner and more nutritious option. It’s got the creamy, cozy flavor everyone loves, but with less sugar and zero junk ingredients.”

Elmhurst continues to deliver exceptional seasonal products, driving substantial growth in the market. Following the groundbreaking success of the nationwide launch of OatNog in 2021 and its sustained strong sales in 2022, the brand anticipates a renewed surge in consumer demand for this festive favorite. Alongside the return of Pumpkin Spice Oat Creamer and the introduction of Apple Pie Spice Seasonal Blend, Elmhurst is poised for another season of strong consumer interest in OatNog.

In a heartwarming twist, country music star Hayes, a fan of Elmhurst 1925, showcases his affection for OatNog by pouring himself the beverage in his latest holiday music video, “Fancy Like Christmas,” for a kick of seasonal flavor adding to the excitement surrounding this delightful dairy-free beverage, and further resonating with his followers on Instagram and YouTube.

Elmhurst’s commitment to delivering outstanding plant-based beverages is evident in its careful selection of simple ingredients, ensuring that those opting for dairy-free options don’t miss out on the seasonal excitement. OatNog, renowned for its indulgent holiday appeal, offers an unbelievably creamy, rich taste with minimal sugar and no dilution. Crafted with only six simple ingredients, it’s vegan, gluten-free, Non-GMO Project Verified, dairy-free, and OU Kosher, pleasing even the most fervent dairy enthusiasts.

Like all Elmhurst products, OatNog is crafted through a unique HydroRelease method, maintaining the full nutrition of the source ingredient without added gums or emulsifiers. This zero-waste process upcycles waste into renewable energy and is powered by 100 percent renewable hydroelectric power, championing sustainability every step of the way.

As a part of Elmhurst’s ongoing recycling program, currently saving approximately 10,000 mature trees annually, all cartons are 100% recyclable, made from FSC certified paperboard, and transitioned from plastic to paper-based shipping materials for direct-to-consumer orders now using primarily PCR materials for molded fiberboard trays and scrap corrugate as protective filler.

Elmhurst OatNog will be available for purchase at various nationwide retailers, including Publix, World Market, Sprouts, Wegmans, Thrive Market, New Seasons Market, Giant, PCC Community Market and additional locations soon, priced at $6.99 for 32 fluid ounces.

Elmhurst’s plant-based products are available in natural and traditional grocers nationwide, including Sprouts, Wegmans, Publix, Kroger, Ralph’s, King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Smith’s Food & Drug, Roundy’s, Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, Fairway, Shaws, Giant, Erewhon and more, along with online availability at Elmhurst1925.com and Amazon.com. To explore Elmhurst’s plant-based milks, visit Elmhurst1925.com.

For more news of interest to the plant-based food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.