Big Y, Carando Provide Feast for National Guard

Big Y and Carando Classic Italian Meats served the soldiers at Barnes Air National Guard Base, in Westfield, Mass., and their families a holiday luncheon.

The festive meal, which took place on Dec. 18, was part of the ongoing Carando Cares campaign and included Carando premium hams, green beans, oven-roasted potatoes, mac and cheese, and chocolate chip cookies. 

"We can never take for granted all of the sacrifices that our military makes for us," said Mike Sargent, brand manager for Carando, which operates a production facility in nearby Springfield, Mass. "It is truly an honor to serve these individuals who have served us. This meal is just our way of saying 'thank you' for all of their dedication and the sacrifices they have made for our country."

"Freedom is not free, and all of us at Big Y are honored to help our National Guard military families right here in our Barnes Air National Guard base," added Donald H. D'Amour, chairman of the board for Springfield-based Big Y.

The holiday lunch for hundreds at Barnes marks the second time that Carando and Big Y have joined forces in corporate giving. Last year, they treated all Springfield firefighters to Christmas dinner.

Carando is a brand of Lisle, Ill.-based John Morrell Food Group, which is a division of Smithfield Foods, in Springfield, Va.

One of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, family-owned and –operated Big Y operates 63 stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts, with more than 10,000 employees.