Wegmans, Kontos to Help United Way

Kontos Foods Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of traditional Greek and Mediterranean foods, is teaming up with Wegmans Food Markets for an Easter season charity program, under which a portion of the grocer’s sales of Kontos Foods’ handmade pastries will go to United Way. The program will run from March 2 to April 26 at Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia.

“As consumers purchase fancy pastries to dress up their holiday tables, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to help needy families,” said Steve Kontos, VP of Paterson, N.J.-based Kontos Foods.

Holiday Spirit

According to Kontos, the upcoming campaign is its second major charity effort undertaken with Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans. “Over the Christmas season, we ran a similar program, donating profits to local food banks through select retailers, including Wegmans and ShopRite,” he noted. “The program was such a success that we decided to extend it.”

Products included in the Easter program include Kontos Foods’ Assorted Baklava, Classic Baklava, Mediterranean Nut Rolls and Kataifi Pastry.

“This year, Greek Orthodox Easter and Western Easter fall on the same day – something that only happens every four years,” added Kontos Foods Marketing Director Warren Stoll. “At this holy time of year for so many, what better way to celebrate than to find ways to assist our friends and neighbors who need assistance?”

Kontos Foods also offers hand-stretched flatbreads, including the Kontos Pocket-Less Pita, Fillo dough, pastries, olives, gyro meats and Greek yogurts, as well as nearly 50 varieties of multi-ethnic flatbreads.