Raley's, Jewel-Osco Fight Food Insecurity

Grocers The Raley’s Companies and Jewel-Osco recently revealed separate initiatives to combat food insecurity in their local communities.

The Raley’s Companies collaborated with select food banks in California and Arizona to offer more fresh produce to families experiencing food insecurity.

Bashas’ and Raley’s, two banners of The Raley’s Companies, increased their annual apple donations this year to area food banks through the nonprofit FirstFruits Farms’ Take a Bite Out of Hunger initiative. Through its annual campaign, the nonprofit feeds underserved families while bringing attention to the problem of food insecurity in the U.S.

Raley’s delivered 22,660 pounds of fresh apples to Yolo Food Bank in Woodland, California, while Bashas’ contributed a combined 35,000 pounds of fresh apples to St. Mary’s Food Bank, United Food Bank, Yuma Community Food Bank, and Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

“Ensuring the communities we serve have access to quality nutrition is part of our mission every day, so extending that mindset by supporting local food banks is a natural extension of our business,” said Chelsea Carbahal, VP of community impact & public affairs for The Raley’s Companies, in a statement. “We appreciate the opportunity to align with organizations like FirstFruits that share our community focus and make our giving even more impactful.”

Customers at both banners helped earn donations for their communities by purchasing specially marked bags of FirstFruit Farms apples during January and February.

Jewel Osco recently teamed up with Kellanova brand Eggo to tackle the ongoing issue of hunger in Chicago, with Eggo donating almost 180,000 waffles to Northern Illinois Food Bank.

In addition, Kellanova and Jewel-Osco employees volunteered their time to help pack food, including the donated waffles, at Northern Illinois Food Bank's distribution facility in Geneva, Illinois.

"The need to help feed and fulfill continues, which is why we support hunger relief in the communities where we operate through our Kellanova Better Days Promise—whether through donations or volunteering" said Joe Beauprez, senior director of marketing for frozen foods at Kellanova, in a statement. "As a company that also calls Chicago home, it's an honor to partner with a Chicagoland icon and trusted customer like Jewel-Osco to support those facing hunger in our communities."

Northern Illinois Food Bank serves neighbors in 13 counties, providing tens of thousands of meals a day, said Kellanova.