Gourmet News

SEG Celebrates Leader for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Published May 5, 2023

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is commemorating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by celebrating the achievements and contributions of one of its leaders.

Raymond Rhee began his career with SEG nearly 35 years ago as a bagger at Winn-Dixie and has held various positions of increasing responsibility in retail operations, accounting, strategic planning and finance. Since he assumed the role of SEG’s chief people officer, Rhee has made significant contributions to the grocer’s people team, spearheading efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace, and implementing initiatives to support Asian American and Pacific Islander associates.

Anthony Hucker, president and CEO for Southeastern Grocers, said, “As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re honored to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our Chief People Officer Raymond Rhee. Raymond personifies our people-first culture with his dedication to being a Reliable, Empathetic, Accountable Leader, along with his steadfast commitment to developing associates to be R.E.A.L., too. His leadership, diligence, unique perspective and unwavering efforts to support our associates and strengthen our company have been instrumental to the enrichment of our workplace culture.”

As chief people officer, Rhee leads SEG’s human resources strategy with proven results in building a winning culture that fosters belonging, inclusion and diversity. He oversees talent acquisition and management, organizational development, training, leadership development, associate relations, compensation and benefits. Rhee also serves as the president of SEG’s charitable arm, the SEG Gives Foundation. He is committed to driving SEG’s culture of giving back and supporting local communities within the grocer’s five-state footprint and beyond. Additionally, Rhee is the executive sponsor to the grocer’s associate resource group Asians and Pacific Islanders for Resource and Education (ASPIRE).

Rhee said, “As an Asian American, I am proud to be part of a company that celebrates diversity. As a people-first organization, we are committed to ensuring every associate feels seen, heard and supported in their professional journey. Our unique experiences and perspectives are valuable assets, and by embracing diversity and equity, we can create a more vibrant and dynamic workplace. It is an honor to work alongside a team that shares this vision and recognizes the importance of celebrating our differences.”

As a company committed to cultivating belonging, inclusion and diversity in its workplace, SEG is honored to observe Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by commemorating the rich cultures and traditions of these communities, while promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of their collective histories.

In addition to recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, SEG also annually observes and celebrates Black History Month, LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth and Veterans Day. Many celebrations are led and organized by one of SEG’s eight associate resource groups which include: Women’s Development Network, Emerging Leaders, SEG Pride, Pa’lante, African Americans FOCUS, ASPIRE, Military Families and Working Parents Network.

Through Rhee’s leadership, guidance and commitment to belonging, inclusion and diversity, SEG’s people-first, inclusive culture earned recognition by top media outlets including: Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for the second year in a row; Newsweek’s 2023 list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity; Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Loved Workplaces; Fortune’s 2022 Best Workplaces in Retail; The Silicon Review^® as one of the 30 Fabulous Companies of the Year; and certification as a Great Place to Work^® for the third year in a row.

SEG believes its team should mirror the diversity of its unique customers and communities in order to provide exceptional service and promote inclusivity. Those interested in joining SEG’s award-winning workplace and family of more than 37,000 dedicated associates are encouraged to visit segrocers.com/careers or a local Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket or Winn-Dixie grocery store for more information.

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

Ole Smoky Hosts National Moonshine Day on June 1

Published May 2, 2023

Ole Smoky Distillery, home of the most visited distillery in the world and #1 moonshine brand in the United States, is once again bringing National Moonshine Day to life with a 360 degree marketing campaign and its second annual “Shine Fest” on June 1. This year, the bestselling moonshine brand will host celebrations in its hometown of Gatlinburg, Tenn., as well as five additional markets around the United States.

“National Moonshine Day is the perfect occasion for Ole Smoky to celebrate the legacy of moonshine and share the spirit with the world. We were proud to have brought the holiday to life last year and are excited to share the spirit’s rich American history with everyone again in 2023 and for years to come,” said Joe Baker, founder of Ole Smoky.

Moonshine is one of the most storied spirits in the United States. Production of the notoriously incendiary spirit dates to the late 1700s when Irish and Scottish immigrants settled in the Southern Appalachian area, bringing with them their home distilling practices and their recipes for what is typically a white whiskey derived from corn, yeast, sugar, and water. Although the practice was illegal, moonshiners continued to provide the spirit to hooch seekers in dry counties after Prohibition, and distillation and consumption became more of a pastime, especially in Southern Appalachia.

Fast forward to 2010 when Baker and his partners, using a fine-tuned, century-old family recipe, launched the brand shortly after Tennessee legalized the distillation of moonshine in 2009. As the first legal moonshine in East Tennessee, the brand has grown exponentially over the past 13 years. The company now employs more than 800 people, makes a wide range of moonshines and whiskeys in four distillery locations across the state, and hosted more than 5.3 million visitors in 2022 alone.

“The Ole Smoky team will be encouraging everyone to celebrate National Moonshine Day at local bars and restaurants, our distillery locations, and retail markets throughout the country,” says Robert Hall, CEO, Ole Smoky Distillery. “Everyone deserves the chance to be a part of this special day that’s a nod to our rich history, which is why we are thrilled to expand our Shine Fest style celebration to additional markets this year.”

The most notable celebration will be Ole Smoky’s Shine Fest hosted in their hometown of Gatlinburg as well as in five additional markets for the first time, including: Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. The 2nd Annual Shine Fest in Gatlinburg will kick off with a DJ and be followed by performances from country artists Julia Cole and Canaan Smith. There will be food, giveaways and exclusive National Moonshine Day cocktails to bring an Ole Smoky spin to the festivities. Shine Fest will be held on June 1 at 120 Historic Nature Trail in Gatlinburg starting at 5 p.m.

For those looking to celebrate at home, enjoy Ole Smoky’s National Moonshine Day signature cocktail, Blackberry Lemonade, featuring Ole Smoky Blackberry Moonshine, lemonade and muddled mint. For more recipes and ways to celebrate, click here.

Fans can visit nationalmoonshineday.olesmoky.com to enter for a chance to win a grand prize trip to Tennessee for a Moonshine & Music Adventure, featuring roundtrip airfare for four, three-night accommodations and a private VIP Moonshine Experience at 6^th & Peabody. First prize winners will take home the Ole Smoky Porch Party Bundle, a complete kit to throw a neighborhood party with Ole Smoky products, yard games, branded patio furniture and plenty of Shine Merch for the neighbors such as Ole Smoky t-shirts and hats.

Second Prize winners will receive Shine Merch, including custom Ole Smoky National Moonshine Day T-shirts. The website also features a C’mon & Celebrate National Moonshine Day Curated Playlist along with cocktail recipes to help fans celebrate National Moonshine Day at home.

For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Southeastern Grocers Urges Hurricane Preparededness

Published May 2, 2023

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is encouraging customers to begin preparing for natural disasters during National Hurricane Preparedness Week. The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season is June 1, and customers should begin to stock up now on vital items including a supply of water, non-perishable food, extra batteries, first-aid kits and more.

In addition to the threat of hurricanes, communities in the Southeast have recently experienced devastation from tornadoes. While cyclone activity can happen at any time, early summer is considered peak season with May and June being the most active historically. Warmer temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico have led researchers to predict above-average tornado activity this year1, with early predictions calling for a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season2.

Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said, “With decades of experience in the Southeast, we know how crucial it is to be prepared before severe weather arrives, and we are encouraging our neighbors to take necessary precautions now. We put people first, and our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our dedicated associates, valued customers and our community members. We care deeply about providing for the communities we serve, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that local families have the resources needed to weather any storm.”

To get a head start on storm preparedness, SEG encourages all customers to review the American Red Cross’ Survival Kit Supplies checklist for essential items needed following a disaster situation. Each household should be prepared with the appropriate amount of water, non-perishable food, batteries and first aid kits as well as any necessary baby supplies, pet food, medications and prescription refills.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends remaining up to date on routine vaccinations to keep communities healthy and safe during recovery efforts3. To encourage vaccinations and help customers save money while shopping for essentials, SEG is offering $20 in free groceries as a vaccine incentive in all in-store pharmacies through June 30. To receive the free grocery offer, customers can visit any Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacy or make an appointment online to get two vaccines of their choice on the same day to receive a voucher for $20 in free groceries4. These include more than 15 vaccine options such as influenza, Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, pneumonia, meningitis, Tdap and COVID-19 doses. State and age restrictions may apply.

Additionally, each season, SEG lowers prices on more than 150 commonly shopped items to help customers stretch their grocery budget. Winn-Dixie customers can easily shop for emergency preparedness staples like shelf-stable foods, batteries, cleaning supplies and hygiene items to stock their disaster supply kits through the grocer’s “Down Down” program and save more than 15 percent on average by shopping items marked by the red hand on signs and tags throughout the store. Similarly, items marked in green and yellow signage at Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket are part of the “Low Price” and “Low Low Price” programs providing customers with deep, deep discounts.

SEG’s extensive experience of preparation and disaster response has allowed the grocer to provide for local communities during unpredictable times. In 2022, SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation donated more than $600,000 to aid its communities’ recovery efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters, and when Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, SEG reacted quickly by dispatching mobile pharmacies, opening the Pine Island Winn-Dixie store to neighbors for free groceries and providing recovery essentials to more than 2,000 impacted families.

For more information on disaster preparedness, vaccine availability and savings, visit www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.

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