Posted on June 8, 2023 by Heather Adams

GIANT Company & Customers Raise $1.46 Million for Food System Sustainability

by The GIANT Company

GIANT Company & Customers Raise $1.46 Million for Food System Sustainability
L-R: Jan-Ernst de Groot, Ahold Delhaize, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, Dan Kemper, RIFT Manager, Rodale Institute, John Ruane, The GIANT Company, Interim President, Jeff Tkach, Rodale Institute, CEO and Jessica Groves, The GIANT Company, Manager of Community Impact.

On Tuesday, The GIANT Company announced its Healing Our Planet initiative, in partnership with its customers, raised more than $1.46 million to support Rodale Institute™, Planet Bee Foundation™, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful™. The campaign, now in its third year, has raised more than $5.6 million to grow health and sustainability initiatives centric to connecting families for a better, more sustainable future.

John Ruane, interim president, The GIANT Company, announced the campaign results at Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pa., presenting $850,092 to support the nonprofit’s regenerative organic agriculture initiatives, including climate science research to strengthen food system sustainability practices and climate resilient communities for generations to come.

“Investing in efforts to create a more sustainable food system is critical to our purpose of connecting families for a better future,” said Ruane. “The GIANT Company’s Healing Our Planet campaign is an inclusive approach to building healthy, sustainable, and food secure communities for all. Thanks to our customers and partners like Rodale Institute, we are turning dollars into actionable change, creating a stronger, healthier tomorrow.”

From March 1 through May 31, customers at GIANT, MARTIN’S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores were invited to round up their grocery purchases to the nearest dollar or convert their CHOICE points into a donation to support Healing Our Planet partners.

“Change in our food system starts with consumers, and this investment in our global nonprofit signals the public’s demand for a shift to regenerative organic farming,” said Jeff Tkach, CEO, Rodale Institute. “This generous funding from The GIANT Company and its customers will support the Institute’s groundbreaking research and assist first-generation, veteran, and transitioning farmers as they seek to build regenerative organic agricultural businesses.”

Since 2021, The GIANT Company’s partnership with Rodale Institute and its 386-acre experimental farm has supported key initiatives to grow farmer training and mentorship, organic farm transition consulting, and soil health research. Additional funds will help Rodale Institute grow its scientific research to develop best farming models and practices for climate-resilient agriculture.

For more information on The GIANT Company’s Healing Our Planet initiative, visit giantfoodstores.com/pages/our-purpose

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