Minnesota Grocers Assoc. Names Silver Plate Winners

Teal’s Market, Paynesville, Minn., and MOM Brands Co., Plymouth, Minn., won the Best Single Creative Display Silver Plate awards handed out by the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) as part of its “Minnesota’s Own” display contest. The award honors retailers and vendors that educate consumers about the fight to end hunger through centrally-themed displays.

Coborn’s Inc., St. Cloud, Minn., and Kemps, St. Paul, Minn., both were awarded the Best Overall Program Support Silver Plate prizes. The category recognizes companies that create educational displays and also collaborate with other campaign participants.

The Best Circular Award was given to Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone, Minn., and Pierz Foods, Pierz, Minn., to honor both companies' excellence in encouraging outreach and engagement with their communities while expanding awareness of the program via retail circulars.

Participants created displays that best depicted the “Fight to End Hunger” campaign and were required to use both in-store advertising and vendor products. Winners are given $500-$1,000 to donate to the food charity of their choice on behalf of the Minnesota’s Own program.

“The ‘Minnesota’s Own’ campaign continues to succeed beyond our expectations each year,” said Jamie Pfuhl, president of the MGA. “That success is truly driven by the exceptional efforts and generosity of our members, vendor partners, community food support agencies, and most significantly, Minnesota’s grocery customers. The enthusiasm, commitment and good will demonstrated by all partners, participants and community members is inspiring and heart-warming. We are proud to play a role in this collective effort to end hunger in Minnesota’s communities. Congratulations to our Silver Plate Award and Circular Award winners for their wonderfully creative, engaging, and effective efforts.”

More than 240 retailers and 14 vendor companies participated to support food banks across the state. This year’s campaign provided more than 8.7 million meals through food drives and donations. Some stores encouraged customers to donate grocery items or to round-up their purchase totals and donate the extra change.

“Community partnerships are so important to helping improve the lives of our neighbors in need,” said Rob Zeaske, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland. “We’re thankful to the consumers, grocery stores and vendors for their contributions to help provide stability to so many people in these tough time. Sincere thanks to the retail food industry for this important work.”