Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is hosting a local supplier sourcing event to collaborate with local businesses, and in turn, provide stores with an expanded variety of local products. The retailer's Local Supplier Connect program will give local businesses within SEG’s five-state footprint the opportunity to showcase their products for a chance to be featured on Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie store shelves.
Dewayne Rabon, senior vice president and chief merchant for Southeastern Grocers, said in a statement, “Our communities are our heart and soul, and we are committed to helping them thrive. The Local Supplier Connect program allows us to expand local offerings in our stores and source products from the very communities we serve. As a grocer in the Southeast, we are proud of our roots, and we strive to share and encourage the culture of our communities by highlighting local products in each of our stores.”
SEG is partnering with ECRM and RangeMe to source, qualify, and connect suppliers with the buyers. During the Local Supplier Connect virtual event in Spring 2022, participants will have the opportunity to engage with SEG buyers and category managers to share their company background, product information, and marketing plans.
The upcoming supplier sourcing event follows SEG’s Supplier Diversity Conference last May when merchants met with 85 suppliers that were at least 51 percent owned, operated, and managed by women; Black, Indigenous, Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ People; military veterans, or people with disabilities and sell grocery, general merchandise, and/or beauty and personal care products.
Interested businesses in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi with products ready for retail may apply to participate in SEG’s Local Supplier Connect program by Monday, Dec. 6. Applications must be submitted at www.rangeme.com/seglocalsummit.
Related: Kroger Introduces Fresh, Local Supplier Accelerator; Southeastern Grocers Sponsors Pride Festivals.