By: David Fikes, Vice President, Consumer/Communication Affairs and Communication, Food Marketing Institute

As part of an FMI research project, I once asked a grocery store manager why his store participated so actively in raising food donations for the local food bank.The manager looked at me for a long time with a rather baffled expression and finally said, “That’s like asking me why my hair is red, supporting the community is just part of who we are. It’s what we do around here.” His befuddlement at my question spoke volumes about how neighborhood involvement is simply second nature to the food retail industry. While bolstering and building bonds within their communities is in the very fabric of a food retailer’s being, there are times when it is appropriate to celebrate that which grocers do so naturally and quietly.The Food Marketing Institute is excited to kick-off the 2016  Community Outreach Awards as a way of tipping our hat to the longstanding food retailer tradition of serving as cornerstones in their communities and noted supporters of neighborhood civic action. 

These awards showcase creative programs spearheaded by retailers that make their neighborhoods better places to live and acknowledge the goodwill generated by these efforts. Over the years, we have seen creative initiatives from retailers large and small that go above-and-beyond the prescribed duty of a grocery store. Retailers have the power to engage their community and inspire others with messages of goodwill and comradery.

We invite grocers to share the various ways they are doing good by submitting an entry in any of the four categories of the Community Outreach Awards.Our categories include:

• Youth Development Programs: Events and activities on education, employment, job readiness, mentoring or tutoring
• Programs Addressing Hunger: These include food drives, food bank donation programs, commitments to increase access to fresh food in underserved areas
• Neighborhood Health Improvement Programs: Such as blood drives, health related runs/walks, sustainability and nutrition education

FMI proudly contributes a $1,000 donation to three top programs, with one awarded from each of these categories. Nominations are open now, and conclude on November 7. This year winners will be announced on Facebook Live in early December. For our People’s Pick Social Media Category, all submissions will be posted on FMI’s Facebook page and the community outreach nominee with the most likes after one week will also be awarded a $1,000 contribution to their program.

Submit your story of Grocers Doing Good today!