Mackenthun's Earns MGA Silver Plate Award

Mackenthun’s Fine Foods is one of six companies statewide to be recognized for its exceptional efforts to end hunger in its community, earning a Silver Plate Award from the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) for its October 2013 “Minnesota’s Own” campaign.

“Winning a Silver Plate Award from the Minnesota Grocers Association is a great honor but the recognition really should go to our generous customers,” said Jaime Mackenthun, store director. “Struggling families in our community benefit from the support of our customers and their willingness to end hunger in our area and across Minnesota.” 

Honored in the Best Single Creative Display - Retailer category, “Minnesota’s Own” raised food and monetary donations to provide more than 7.4 million meals to Minnesota families in need. It was coordinated by the MGA and included more than 236 MGA retail members, 14 vendor partners and community food banks and food shelves across the state.

Participating stores and vendor locations offered multiple opportunities for consumers to contribute to the campaign. Many retailers encouraged customers to donate grocery items in-store or round up their purchase totals at the register, contributing the price difference to feed local families. Others prominently displayed the names of customers who donated money on grocery list icons. All food and monetary contributions collected were distributed to a variety of local food shelves, banks and support organizations across the state. 

Statewide, 250 stores and vendors participated in this year’s contest.

In addition to the award, Mackenthun’s presented a $1,000 donation to Waconia United Food Shelf on behalf of the “Minnesota’s Own” program.

The Minnesota Grocers Association has over 200 retail members with nearly 1,100 stores statewide, as well as approximately 100 distributors and manufacturers.