Grocers that are Standing Up against Racism

Albertsons:
● First step: conversations between executive leaders, African-American associates, and
Associate Resource Groups.
● Donating $5 million in total to social justice organizations & those “on the front line of
the fight for equality.”
○ $2 million to the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the National
Urban League
○ $1 million to Albertsons' African American Associate Resource Group (partner
with local organizations that support communities/neighborhood actions)
○ $1 million reserve fund for future social justice and diversity initiatives
(community outreach, supplier diversity, and ongoing education.)
■ https://www.supermarketnews.com/issues-trends/grocery-retailers-take-
stand-against-racism
● Statements made on social media

Publix:
● $1 million contributions to National Urban League affiliates across the Southeast
● Letter from CEO - published on Publix’s site, titled “A letter to Publix associates”
○ Talks about support, racial injustice, diversity/inclusivity, future
accomplishments.
■ https://corporate.publix.com/about-publix/culture/committed-to-diversity

Harris Teeter:
● Donating 5M – no specific organization.
○ $5 million fund through Kroger
■ https://www.harristeeter.com/community
HEB:
● Facebook video released: CEO talking about the recent racial injustice in this country and
their commitment to take a stand against it.
● Announced the company to create a $1 million fund “to advance the conversation on
addressing racial inequity and injustice in Texas communities.”
○ Online campaign will be launched to receive/accept donations (online, in stores,
and HEB’s delivery site)
○ Fund is called: “Be the Change”
■ https://www.supermarketnews.com/issues-trends/h-e-b-donating-1-
million-address-racial-inequality
Kroger:
● No specific organization named – created an Ally Handbook
○ educates Kroger’s associates, leaders, customers, and community partners on
racism, injustice, and the actions that allies can take to be actively anti-racist.
■ https://www.thekrogerco.com/community/better-together/
■ https://www.thekrogerco.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kroger-
Allyship-Guide.pdf
● $5 million fund to support the advancement of racial equity and justice. This investment
will be earmarked within The Kroger Co. Foundation for improving diversity, equity, and
inclusion.

Target:

● $10 million investment from Target and the Target Foundation to support long-standing
partners such as the National Urban League and the African American Leadership
Forum. Adding new partners in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and across the country.
● 10,000 hours of pro-bono consulting services for Black- and people-of-color-owned
small businesses in the Twin Cities, helping with rebuilding efforts.
● Continuing to provide essentials such as baby formula, diapers, medicine, and more to
communities most in need (local nonprofit Second Harvest Heartland is assisting with
this)
● Target Circle, our loyalty program, will offer guests the option to direct Target funds to
local nonprofits and include organizations supporting social justice.
● Established a Racial Equity Action Committee comprised of senior leaders across the
company to partner with our team members, guests and members of the community to
determine Target’s next steps
● three-year Diversity & Inclusion commitments
● An abundance of posts on Social Media about anti-racism
○ https://corporate.target.com/article/2020/06/commitments-rebuilding-and-social-
justice
Walmart:
● No specific organization named for donations.
● $100 million commitment: the center will support philanthropic initiatives that align with
four key areas: the nation’s financial, healthcare, education, and criminal justice systems.
○ Donations are made over a 5-year period
○ New center devoted to addressing systemic racism
■ CEO stated: "The center will seek to advance economic opportunity and
healthier living, including issues surrounding the social determinants of
health, strengthening workforce development and related educational
systems, and support criminal justice reform with an emphasis on
examining barriers to opportunity faced by those exiting the system."
■ https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-ceo-email-condemns-racial-
violence-pledges-100-million-donation-2020-6
■ https://corporate.walmart.com/equity

Wawa:
● CEO issues statement, cites core values, as well as “listening, learning”
○ https://www.cspdailynews.com/company-news/wawa-commits-racial-injustice-
battle
● The company is making a multi-year pledge of $100,000 per year to support the National
Urban League and their mission of changing lives and empowering African-American
communities
○ https://www.wawa.com/alerts/ceo-letter

Wegmans:
● No mention of donations – actually received a lot of backlash for their message seeming
“hollow”
○ Individual commented on Facebook post: “Would love to see Wegmans in more
lower income areas. Create the positive change we need.”
■ https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/06/16/wegmans-
statement-on-george-floyd-death-draws-mixed-reactions/3197355001/
■ https://www.wegmans.com/together/

Doing little to Nothing:

Aldi:
● No posts social media
● No specific organization or plan: “We will provide updates as our plans develop and are
put into action.”
■ https://corporate.aldi.us/en/corporate-responsibility/our-people/diversity-
inclusion/
GIANT:
● Nothing- posted on social media that they stand for racial equality
Meijer:
● Nothing – just posted to social media that they stand together against all racial inequality.
Piggly Wiggly:
● No statement.
Sheetz:
● Nothing – just posted to social media that they stand together against all racial inequality
● Nothing on the website
Speedway:
● No statement.
Sunoco:
● No statement.

How to Deal with Food Deserts and Food Insecurities:

Virtual Supermarket Program

 allows residents to order groceries online and pick them up at select locations, including
libraries, apartment complexes and senior centers.
 no delivery fees, and residents can pay for their orders with Electronic Benefit Transfer
cards (food stamps)
 https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/01/10/innovative-solutions-
ending-food-deserts/2512232002/

Mobile Food Market

 A van or bus bring affordable, fresh, and healthy foods to food desert communities
 Similar to the idea of an ice cream truck or a common food truck
  https://www.shareable.net/the-first-little-free-pantry-pops-up-in-arkansas-
inspired-by-little-free-libraries/

How to publicly communicate the company’s plans:

 Social media
 Letters
 Handbook
 Hearing from team members stories and comments