PBH Names Supermarket Role Models, Champions

Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) has revealed its annual list of Retail Role Models and Champions. Twenty-four supermarket operators are “Fruits & Veggies—More Matters” Role Models and Champions for 2013, with 12 earning Role Model status (the top level recognition) and 12 achieving Champion status for their unwavering commitment to the national health campaign and PBH.

The 2013 Retail Role Models are Ahold USA, Bashas’, Homeland Stores, Hy-Vee Inc., Meijer, Inc. (third consecutive year), Redner’s Markets, Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc. (second consecutive year), Save Mart Supermarkets, Skogen’s Festival Foods, SpartanNash (second consecutive year), United Supermarkets and Weis Markets.

The 2013 Retail Champions and Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (second consecutive year), Big Y Foods Inc., Donelan’s Supermarkets (third consecutive year), Food Lion, Foodtown Inc., Harris Teeter, Key Food Stores Cooperative, Inc. King Kullen Grocery Co. Inc. (third consecutive year), Marsh Supermarkets, Schnuck Markets Inc., Wakefern Food Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

‘Above and Beyond’

Noting that the honorees “have gone above and beyond to leverage the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters brand and national health campaign to educate consumers and increase consumption,” Elizabeth Pivonka, president and CEO of Hockessin, Del.-based PBH, said: “From their produce departments to their frozen food aisles, these retailers remind consumers that eating more fruits and vegetables, in all forms, really does matter to their health. As a result, they’re contributing to healthier communities where they operate and an overall healthier America!”

The 2013 Role Models and Champions will be formally acknowledged at a March 18 awards luncheon during The Consumer Connection, PBH’s annual conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. The deadline to register for the conference is March 3.

PBH is a nonprofit fruit and vegetable education foundation. Its Fruits & Veggies—More Matters program is the nation’s largest public-private, fruit and vegetable nutrition education initiative, with fruit and vegetable nutrition coordinators in each state, territory and the military.