Lakeshore Food Corp. Honored as Partner in Health

Lakeshore Food Corp., which operates five Al’s Supermarkets in Indiana and one Barney’s in Michigan, was named a Partner in Health by the LaPorte Hospital Foundation during its annual meeting.

The partnership between Lakeshore Food and LaPorte Hospital Foundation began in 1970 when the Michigan City, Ind.-based retailer donated money to help build the Indiana University Health LaPorte Hospital. Since 2005, the stores have provided more than $25,000 in contributions to the foundation’s programs.

The retailer has been a major supporter of the foundation’s Tour de LaPorte, a three-day cycling event that raises money for cancer care. Al’s Supermarkets has provided healthy food items to cyclists during the event, and the stores' customers have donated $15,000 to the cause.

Al’s Supermarkets also is a supporter of the foundation’s Lil’ F.I.S.H. (Feel Important Stay Healthy) Club, which promotes healthy behaviors and raises awareness of health issues for the area’s fourth grade students.

“It is safe to say that Lakeshore Food Corp. has helped up define what a Partner in Health is – an organization [that] has exhibited a strong and consistent commitment to helping us improve the health of our patients and communities over the years,” said Maria Fruth, EVP and COO of the foundation, in a local news report. “We are so pleased to have the support of Lakeshore Food Corp., and are very happy that our community is so well served by a grocery provider that truly cares about their health and wellbeing. We look forward to many more years of working together.”