Pink Produce at Big Y
To raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, all Big Y Supermarkets will donate a portion of the proceeds from their produce and floral departments throughout October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as well as additional select products throughout the stores, to more than 15 breast cancer support groups in Massachusetts and Connecticut, the New England regional chain’s market area. Since 2007, Big Y has raised more than $508,000 for the battle against the dread disease.
The program is called “Partners of Hope” to reflect the partnership, commitment and support of breast cancer awareness and research. Partners of Hope pink ribbons will be sold for $1 from through Oct. 26 as a way of raising additional funds for local breast cancer organizations.
During October, specially marked “pink” products and promotions will involve nearly every store department, including campaigns launched by various consumer packaged goods manufacturers. The Big Y Butcher Shop will donate 10 cents from every pound of All Natural Angus Beef and Big Y Smart Chicken. The grocer’s resident dietitian, Carrie Taylor, will devote a portion of her October newsletter, Living Well Eating Smart, to breast cancer. Big Y Pharmacies will donate $5 for every new or transferred prescription filled. Between Oct. 20 and Oct. 26, for every package of Big Y Top Care, Full Circle, World Classics Trading Co., Paws Premium pet products, Academix stationary, Electrix electrical supplies, and Domestix household brand products, the company will donate 5 cents. And Big Y’s pink reusable, earth-friendly shopping bag promoting breast cancer awareness will be available chainwide.
“Breast cancer affects thousands of women each year,” noted Donald D’Amour, CEO of Springfield, Mass.-based Big Y, which operates 61 stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts and has more than 10,000 employees. “We hope that this initiative will not only promote breast cancer awareness, but also save lives through early detection and care.”
Last year, the Springfield, Mass.-based grocer collected $150,000 which went to the following organizations: Susan G. Komen for the Cure Massachusetts and Connecticut affiliates in Boston and Hartford; Partnership for Breast Care, Hartford Hospital; Rays of Hope, Baystate Health Foundation, Springfield; Comprehensive Breast Health, St. Francis Foundation Center, Hartford; Comprehensive Breast Center, UMass, Shrewsbury; Breast Cancer Program, Yale-New Haven Hospital; Women’s Imaging Center, Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, Mass.; Gillette Center for Breast Cancer, Mass General Hospital, Boston; Breast Care Collaborative, Eastern Connecticut Health Network, Manchester; Breast & Oncology Center, St. Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury, Conn.; Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, New Britain; Breast Care Center, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Stafford Springs, Conn.; Pink Roses Program, Charlotte/Hungerford Hospital, Torrington, Conn.; and Mercy Breast Care Center, Mercy Medical Center, Springfield.