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This unique promotion includes three-way participation by vendors,grocers, and consumers.
Vendors participating in the promotion are making a donation to SecondHarvest Heartland in hopes that this will encourage consumers to participatein "Minnesota's Own."
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Retail grocers, which have a long tradition of strong community-support,are offering opportunities for consumers to get involved and make a differencein the lives of their hungry neighbors.
Consumers can look for an ad running on October 5, 2008 in the Alexandria,Brainerd, Bemidji, Duluth, Mankato, Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Cloud and St.Paul newspapers. This ad will list participating retailers and vendorpartners. Customers are encouraged to support these companies and do theirpart to assist in a statewide fight to end hunger.
Local promotions include: Food Drives -- in-store food drive with productdonations given to a local food shelf or local Feeding America food bank;Change for Hunger -- customers may round their purchase total up to thenearest dollar; and Grocery Bag Icons -- customers may donate $1, $3, $5 ormore at the register and receive and sign a grocery bag icon to be prominentlydisplayed in the store.
"During this time of economic challenge, 'Minnesota's Own' provides anexcellent opportunity to increase awareness of a social issue that affects allour communities," explained Jamie Pfuhl, president of Minnesota GrocersAssociation. "By raising funds, increasing public support and promoting localdonations to our food banks and shelves, the Minnesota retail food industrycan truly make a difference in the fight to end hunger!" she said.
"Food prices are up, fuel prices are soaring and more of our neighbors arefeeling the crunch," said Rob Zeaske, executive director of Second HarvestHeartland, Minnesota's largest hunger-relief organization. "Now is a criticaltime to increase the amount of food for families who are hungry. We're proudto partner with the Minnesota Grocers Association and its membership. Thispromotion is a chance for everyone in the Heartland to contribute towardending hunger in their local community."
About The Minnesota Grocers Association
The Minnesota Grocers Association is a state trade associationrepresenting the food retail industry since 1897. With over 200 retail membersoperating nearly 1,200 stores statewide, as well as 120 manufacturers anddistributors, the MGA is truly the voice of the industry. Member companiesemploy over 85,000 union and non-union Minnesotans. Focusing on the importanceof the consumers, careers and communities, the MGA actively advances thecommon interests of all those engaged in any aspect of the retail foodindustry as a leader and advocate in government affairs.
About Second Harvest Heartland (SHH)
Second Harvest Heartland is the Upper Midwest's largest hunger-relieforganization, with a mission of ending hunger through community partnerships.Second Harvest Heartland serves 59 counties in Minnesota and westernWisconsin. 40 million pounds of grocery products were distributed last year tomore than 1,000 non-profit member agencies and programs, including foodshelves, soup kitchens, shelters, senior centers, faith-based and children'safter-school programs. For each $1 donated, Second Harvest Heartland candistribute more than $9 worth of grocery products for those in need. Forfurther information, visit http://www.2harvest.org or call 651.484.5117.
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuelto survive and even thrive. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-reliefcharity, our network
