ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Pink Ribbon Produce, a unique retail program committed to the fight against breast cancer, held an awards ceremony at the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit on Sunday, October 16, at the Mastronardi Booth. Founded in 2005, the program has raised more than $350,000 for the local affiliates of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Harris Teeter, Price Chopper and Meijer stores were recognized during the ceremony for their long-term participation in the program.
“Meijer has been a proud supporter of Pink Ribbon Produce since 2007," said Brian Coates, senior produce buyer at Meijer. "The passion shown by Wendy McManus in the launch of the program helped ensure its future success. We believe that Pink Ribbon Produce provides our suppliers, team members and customers a simple way to participate in making our communities stronger."
Wendy McManus, the founder and inspiration behind the program, was also recognized. She currently serves as director of marketing at the National Mango Board. Her stepmother, Diane Abbing, developed breast cancer in 2005 and battled it for four years. She passed away in March 2009. Wendy’s husband’s stepmother, Jane McManus, battled the same disease and was diagnosed in 2005. She is currently cancer-free.
“Pink Ribbon Produce was born out of a vision to help others battle breast cancer and get the support they needed,” said Wendy McManus. “This program has given the produce industry, grocery stores and customers an easy way to help Susan G. Komen® Affiliates in their local communities.”
Pink Ribbon Produce is an in-store consumer marketing program managed by AugustineIdeas. Harris Teeter, Meijer and Price Chopper, along with the supporting produce suppliers raise awareness and funds for local Susan G. Komen® Affiliates. Through engaging point-of-sale materials visible in their produce departments, weekly circular ads, a website and multiple other channels retailers highlight partner suppliers while increasing breast cancer awareness among shoppers.
“Alpine Fresh knows the importance of supporting organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure,” said Greg Fleming, sales director for Alpine Fresh, Inc. “We are happy to be part of this very important program, which brings together suppliers, retailers and consumers that benefits many within our communities. My resolve to help in the fight against breast cancer was made even stronger after my sister passed away from breast cancer.”
Produce partners supporting this year’s Pink Ribbon campaign include:
• Alpine Fresh
• Apio
• Beachside Produce
• Chilean Avocado Importers Association
• Calavo
• Chiquita
• Country Fresh
• Custom Pak
• Del Monte Fresh Produce
• Dole
• Earthbound Farm
• Fowler Packing
• Highline Mushrooms
• Mastronardi
• Mission Produce
• Nature's Way
• NatureSweet
• NewStar
• Paramount Citrus
• POM Wonderful
• Santa Cruz Berry
• Santa Sweets
• Seald Sweet
• Southern Specialties
• Sunlight
• Westmoreland
Through various fundraising activities including Pink Ribbon Produce and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® series, Komen has invested more than $1.9 billion in research and lifesaving community programs.
For more information about Pink Ribbon Produce, visit www.pink-ribbon-produce.com.
Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter, Inc., with headquarters in Matthews, NC, is a subsidiary of Ruddick Corporation (NYSE:RDK), a Fortune 500 company. Harris Teeter is the 24th largest supermarket in the U.S. with 2010 sales of $4.1 billion. The grocery chain employs over 23,000 associates and has over 200 stores in stores in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, and the District of Columbia. www.harristeeter.com.
Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich., based retailer that operates 197 supercenters throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. As the inventor of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com.
Price Chopper
Based in Schenectady, N.Y., the Golub Corporation owns and operates 128 Price Chopper grocery stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The American-owned, family-managed company prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, leadership in community service and cooperative employee relations. Golub’s approximately 24,000 associates collectively own 52 percent of the company’s privately held stock. For additional information, visit www.pricechopper.com.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, the promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.9 billion invested to date. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
AugustineIdeas
AugustineIdeas is an integrated marketing communications agency with 15 years of experience providing digital strategy, branding, creative services, social media marketing, public relations, graphic design, shopper marketing and retail activation to clients in a diverse range of industries. AugustineIdeas has more than 50 employees between offices in Roseville, Cincinnati, Seattle, Tampa, Miami, Monterey and New York. For more information, visit http://www.augustineideas.com/, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AugustineIdeas or follow us on Twitter at @AugustineIdeas.
Source: AugustineIdeas