Grocery Businesses Earn Disability Equality Index Best Places to Work Status
Disability:IN, a global organization encouraging disability inclusion and equality in business, has released its list of the Disability Equality Index (DEI) Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion for 2024. Grocery businesses that made the annual list were Albertsons Cos., Amazon, CVS Health, Giant Eagle, The Kroger Co., Meijer, Target Corp., United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), Walgreens and Walmart.
“On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we’re extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow,” noted Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Alexandria, Va.-based Disability:IN. “Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent, but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today’s global market. Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive.”
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“At Meijer, treating our team members with dignity and respect is more than a statement – it's something we live out every day,” observed Timothy Williams, VP of diversity and inclusion at Meijer, which made the list for the eighth year in a row, earning a top score of 100. “From our humble beginnings in Greenville, Mich., to now celebrating our 90th anniversary with more than 70,000 team members across the Midwest, this sentiment remains a core part of our values and culture of belonging. We are especially proud of our team member resource group, Meijer Disability Awareness and Advocacy Group (mDAAG), which continues to contribute to our success. We appreciate Disability:IN for not only this recognition, but for their work to drive disability inclusion and equality in the workplace.”
mDAAG’s mission is to further the company’s commitment to respecting and valuing diversity and inclusion by acting as a resource and liaison on matters relating to disability inclusion and equality.
“UNFI acknowledges and praises all our associates who live and work with disabilities, as well as those who serve as caregivers,” said Guillaume Bagal, VP of diversity, equity, inclusion and wellbeing at UNFI, which was the only North American grocery wholesaler in the ranking. “We take incredible pride in being recognized for the third consecutive year as a Disability Equality Index Top Scorer and Best Place to Work. We are committed to ensuring that we remain an employer that promotes accessibility and growth opportunities, combats stigma, fosters disability education and awareness, and ensures both physical and psychological safety for all associates.”
Led by the its associate belonging and innovation group, DREAM (Disability Resources, Equity, Allyship and Mentoring), UNFI over the past year has implemented company-wide mental health awareness training and resources, organized various workshops on parenting a child with special needs, and conducted the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Carry Forward 5K run and fundraiser. Further efforts this year included the creation of a series of guides, short-form videos and best practices for enhancing accessibility on the most used digital tools within UNFI, and the launch of virtual body-doubling sessions to increase motivation and productivity by working alongside an accountability partner.
Providence, R.I.-based UNFI delivers a wide variety of products to more than 30,000 customer locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, e-commerce retailers and foodservice customers. The largest publicly traded grocery distributor in America, the company is No. 22 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2024 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.
Privately owned Meijer operates 500-plus supercenters, Meijer Grocery, neighborhood markets and Express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based company is No. 23 on The PG 100 and was also named among the publication’s Retailers of the Century and its 10 Most Sustainable Grocers for 2024.
Walmart, Amazon, The Kroger Co., CVS Health, Walgreens, Target Corp., Albertsons and Giant Eagle, are Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 42, respectively, on The PG 100.
More than 400 corporations work with Disability:IN on long-term business and social impact through the DEI, a disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool; conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. A joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN since 2015, the DEI assigns each company a score on a scale of zero to 100, with those earning 80 and higher recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.
