Tag Archives: Family Fare

Wyoming’s Burlingame Family Fare one of several to offer free COVID-19 testing

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

By SpartanNash

As part of its continued efforts to ensure the well-being and safety of its family of associates, customers and communities during the coronavirus pandemic, SpartanNash announced select Family Fare, which includes the Family Fare on Burlingame Ave. SW, and D&W Fresh Market pharmacies in West Michigan will offer free COVID-19 testing beginning on Monday, Aug. 3.

The company has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide the free testing, which will take place by appointment only.

“Our pharmacies continue to adapt to best respond to our customers’ needs during these uncertain times,” SpartanNash EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Lori Raya said. “We are proud to offer this additional service to our customers and communities – free of charge – because we know how important testing is to our collective efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.”

COVID-19 tests are self-administered by customers using the drive-thru at participating Family Fare and D&W Fresh Market pharmacies, following CDC guidelines for testing criteria. SpartanNash pharmacists guide customers through the self-administered nasal swab, and results are shared within three to five days.

Participating pharmacies are located at:

  • D&W Fresh Market – 2022 Apple Orchard Ave. in Grand Rapids
  • Family Fare – 6370 Lake Michigan Drive in Allendale
  • Family Fare – 2245 84th St. SW in Byron Center
  • Family Fare – 2900 Burlingame Ave. SW in Wyoming
  • Family Fare – 993 Butternut Dr. in Holland

Testing is available for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in accordance with state and local plans for public health monitoring. Both customers and SpartanNash frontline associates are able to schedule COVID-19 testing appointments on either shopfamilyfare.com/covid-19-testing or shopdwfreshmarket.com/covid-19-testing, depending on their nearest pharmacy location. Participants are asked to first complete a short survey, then schedule their appointment date and time.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our company has maintained two top priorities: the well-being and safety of our family of associates, customers and communities; and supporting health officials and government leaders to contain the virus,” SpartanNash EVP and General Manager, Corporate Retail Tom Swanson said. “By offering free COVID-19 testing, we are reinforcing our commitment to keeping our associates’ and customers’ health at the forefront of all our efforts.”

SpartanNash announces partnership to support local restaurants

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
The Friesian’s Oven-ready lobster mac and cheese is available at the Family Fare, 2275 Health Dr., Wyoming. (Supplied)

By Lauren DeVol
SpartanNash

In an effort to help local restaurants impacted by COVID-19, SpartanNash today announced it has launched an innovative pilot partnership with eight West Michigan restaurants.  Each participating restaurant will create its patrons’ favorite menu items, which will be sold at select D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Forest Hills Foods and Ada Fresh Market locations.  One hundred percent of the proceeds will be provided to the restaurants to help them remain strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participating restaurants include:

  • Anna’s House 
  • Big O’s
  • Cedar Springs Brewery 
  • City Built Brewery
  • Donkey Taqueria 
  • Friesian Gastro Pub 
  • Osteria Rossa
  • West Side Social 

A complete list of restaurant menu items and the locations of the 25 pilot stores can be found at spartannash.com/restaurant-meals-to-go. The heat and serve meals will be located in the deli section of each participating D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Forest Hills Foods and Ada Fresh Market location.

“This is a win-win partnership for West Michiganders and local restaurants hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer, Lori Raya. “Restaurants are bringing team members back to work, while families can enjoy some of their restaurant favorites, discover new ones, and help their local struggling restaurants. Together, we can and will build stronger communities through these local partnerships. For more than 100 years, our company has been headquartered here and a trusted provider of food, medicine, and essential household goods.  Supporting our local communities, farmers and food producers has always been vitally important to us and drives our vision to be a best in class company that feels local, where relationships matter.”

Items from the City Built Brewery will be available at Family Fares located at 2900 Burlingame Ave., Wyoming, and 6127 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. (Supplied)

On March 16, 2020, Michigan restaurants were ordered to temporarily close for all but take out service as a means of containing the spread of the coronavirus. 

In developing the pilot program, SpartanNash’s retail, merchandising and marketing teams worked quickly to identify a diverse group of local restaurants that could transition to preparing heat and serve meals for purchase at the grocery store. SpartanNash’s quality assurance, food safety, legal, IT and corporate affairs teams provided guidance. West Michigan Tag and Label also came on board to work directly with the restaurants and donate the restaurant branded and ingredient labeling at no cost as a means of supporting participating local restaurants.

“Being in the food business – whether a grocery retailer, wholesaler, supplier or restaurant – we all have something in common: helping create an exceptional experience for the guests we serve,” said Raya. “Now, more than ever, we want to provide not only the financial support to our restaurants, but the emotional connectivity to some of West Michigan’s ‘must have’ menu options.”

For all of SpartanNash’s latest efforts around the coronavirus, visit: spartannash.com/spartannash-coronavirus-updates.

Anna’s House’s Monkey Bread is available at the Grandville Family Fare, 3960 44th St. SW. (Supplied)

SpartanNash introduces Kids Crew to help kids make healthy choices

3-bottom, City of Kentwood,

By Lauren DeVol
SpartanNash

 Spring is a beautiful time of year in the Mackinaw City area, as the winter melts away and nature comes out of its deep slumber. Mackinaw City businesses and hotels are celebrating the start of spring with vacation specials and events during the 4th Annual Mackinac Meltdown, including:

April 1-16 — Spring Break Splash at Pirate Cove Waterpark

Things are heating up inside…with $5 fun, April 1-16 at the Pirate’s Adventure waterpark inside the Crown Choice Inn & Suites Lakeview (720 S. Huron Avenue). Mackinaw’s largest indoor waterpark features a pirate head tipping bucket, three waterslides, bubbler jets, crawl tunnels, water guns, climbing nets, an oversized indoor pool and a whirlpool sauna. Call 231-436-5929 for details.

Saturday, April 6 (11am-2pm) — Taste of Mackinaw

Enjoy delicious foods from local restaurants as well as craft beer and wine at the Mackinac Island Brewhouse & Mackinaw Island Winery inside the Mackinac Bay Trading Company downtown on Huron Avenue, across from Conkling Heritage Park. Tickets are $10 per person.

Saturday, April 6 (1-4pm) – Mackinac International Bridal Expo

Love is in the air and the Straits of Mackinac is an ideal (and popular) place for couples to celebrate their big day. Exhibitors will be set up inside Mackinaw Beach & Bay (929 S. Huron Avenue) throughout the afternoon showcasing dresses, cakes, accessories, wedding venues, music and more. Admission is $5 per person.

Plenty of seasonal activities are planned to celebrate the arrival of spring and all its beauty—from the flora to fauna to astronomy to aviary throughout March, April and May!

Discover Birds of Prey at Raptor Fest!

Birding is currently the second fastest growing hobby in the United States after gardening, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service who also reports that over 2 million Michigan residents are birdwatchers. Every year thousands of hawks, eagles, vultures, and owls follow the contours of Lakes Michigan and Huron, ending up at the Straits of Mackinac where they must cross a 5-mile expanse of water. To save energy, the birds use rising air drafts to lift them high in the air, and then they glide across the Straits. While no longer protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act, the bald eagle remains protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch conducts scientific studies and takes inventory of hawks, owls and other raptors migrating through this region of northern Michigan, educating the public about the birds and their migration. Their largest annual event is Raptor Fest, April 3-5. This three-day event provides great views of migrating raptors, interesting sessions and educational workshops.

Savoring Michigan’s sweet treat…maple syrup!

Did you know that maple sugaring is Michigan’s oldest agricultural activity…dating back to the earliest Native Americans? Or, that Michigan ranks #5 in the nation for production of maple syrup…generating more than $2.5 million for the state’s economy?

The longer, warmer days means sap begins to flow in the maple trees that dot the landscape around the miles of woodland trails. In the furthest reaches of Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park visitors can find the Maple Sugar Shack, nestled along one of the hiking trails. While the sugaring season will have wrapped up by the time the interpretive season begins at here in May, guests can still find the shack and interpretive panels detailing the history of sugaring in this area and the process of doing it.

Beauty from the ground…wildflowers abound!

One of the surest signs that spring has arrived in the north woods is the appearance of an abundance of beautiful wildflowers covering the forest floor. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, there are at least 18 wildflowers native to Michigan including Arrowhead, Beach pea, Black-eyed Susan, Dwarf Lake Iris (Michigan’s official state flower, a threatened species only found in the Great Lakes region), Harebell, Purple coneflower and others. Other spring beauties include the Yellow Trout-lily, Spring-beauty, the Large-flowered Trillium and the smaller Nodding Trillium, Marsh Marigold or Cowslip and Jack-in -the-Pulpit.

Head out along the hiking trails at Wilderness State Park, The Headlands International Dark Sky Park, at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, and along sections of the North Country Trail. Please remember that trillium are protected in Michigan and that picking them is illegal (but photographing them is recommended).

Foraging from the forest floor…morels, ramps and fiddleheads!

In addition to an abundance of wildflowers, spring means the arrival of wild edibles – such as morels, ramps, and fiddleheads – the most hunted spring treasures. May is morel month in Michigan but depending on the weather these illusive fungi can be found as early as April and as late as mid-June, especially the further north you go. Morels begin to pop up along the woodland floor when the daytime temps reach around 60–65 degrees while the evening temps stay above 50 degrees. As you search, look along southwest facing hills where the sun’s rays warm the ground around tree groves mixed with living, dead and dying ash, elm, oak and aspen trees. Given there are a lot of “false morels” and other poisonous mushrooms, it is advised to take a guide (either a person or a printed book) to help you identify a true morel. If you can’t find them in the woods, look for them on the menu of area restaurants during the spring season – topping fish, chicken, or steak, fried to a crispy goodness, or cooked into a creamy bisque.

Cast a hook, line and sinker!

Fishing really is a four-season activity here in the Great Lakes State, but as the ice melts and the temperatures rise, the rivers, streams, and lakes become a hotbed for a variety of species. The Straits area offers opportunities for migratory steelhead and salmon, as well as other freshwater fish. Spring fishing begins in April when the smelt begin to run, followed by trout season in late April and walleye season which opens mid-May. As we move into summer, look for lake perch and bass off the coast of Wilderness State Park or head to Paradise Lake, just five miles south of Mackinaw City, where bass, pike, walleye and panfish are plentiful. Be sure to check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for specific season dates and licensing information.

Hunting Michigan’s beloved Petoskey Stone!

Many people think that Petoskey Stones can only be found in Petoskey. Yet this hexagon fossilized coral (Hexagonaria pericarnata) from a coral reef that existed during the Devonian era 350 million years ago, can be found along the Lake Michigan shoreline from the Sleeping Bear Dunes area as far north as the Straits of Mackinac. Spring is the ideal time to scour the beaches for rocks that have been churned up over the winter, before the thousands of tourists have had the time begin their search. Established as Michigan’s state stone in 1965, the Petoskey Stones were formed as a result of glaciation, in which sheets of ice plucked stones from the bedrock, grinding off their rough edges and depositing them in the northwestern portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Please note, Michigan State prohibits individuals from removing more than 25 pounds of rocks or minerals per year from state parks, recreation lands and Great Lakes bottomlands.

Look to the skies…and beyond!

Although there is no way to predict when Northern Lights (aurora borealis) will light up the sky, the Straits area provides the perfect night sky conditions for viewing this unique phenomenon. Northern Lights are collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere, creating dancing color of lights such as green, pink and purple. Located along the Lake Michigan shoreline just south of Mackinaw City, the Headlands International Dark Sky Park is a popular place for settling in for the sky show.

Dig into Local History!

The Mackinaw Area Historical Society Heritage Village invites you to learn a little about the area during their lecture series, with programs taking place at the Mackinaw Area Public Library (528 W. Central Avenue). Upcoming presentations include Native American Teaching and Learning the Traditional Way (April 13) with Adel Easterday and Gardening the Colonial Michilimackinac Way (May 11) with Lee Ann Ewer. Of particular note is that the Mackinac State Historic Parks is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020…with parks opening for visitors in early May.

For spring travel ideas and lodging options, visit MackinawCity.com.

Flashfood to pilot new mobile app at SpartanNash, Family Fare

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,

By Lauren DeVol

SpartanNash

As part of its commitment to help customers save money and reduce in-store fresh food waste, SpartanNash is piloting a mobile app at five of its West Michigan Family Fare stores. The app was developed by Flashfood® and allows store guests and community nonprofits to purchase food nearing its best-by date at savings of up to 50 percent off. Eligible items include meat, produce, seafood, deli and bakery products.

The five participating Family Fare stores testing the Flashfood app are located at:

  • 2245 84th St., SW in Byron Center
  • 1415 E. Fulton St. in Grand Rapids
  • 2755 Lake Michigan Drive, NW in Grand Rapids
  • 1225 Leonard, NE in Grand Rapids
  • 6127 Kalamazoo Ave., SE in Kentwood

Flashfood is a Toronto-based mobile app that operates in more than 440 grocery locations throughout Canada, Michigan and Wisconsin. The mobile app is free and available on iOS and Android.

After downloading the Flashfood app, customers can select a participating Family Fare store, choose the items they want to purchase and pay for them directly on the app, then pick up their items and confirm their order at the customer service counter. To make it even easier, the purchased food will be stored at the front of each participating Family Fare in refrigerators and on storage racks until the store guest picks them up.

“Customer convenience is key with the app – and so is our ability to reduce food waste while increasing access to lower cost fresh foods,” Director, Retail Consumer Innovation Matt Bennett said. “Our aisles are filled with a variety of perishable foods, and as we get near the best-by dates, we want to make sure customers know about the savings available to them. This app is a win-win for customers and the environment.”

The Flashfood app pilot is another way SpartanNash is fighting food waste and hunger in local communities. SpartanNash also partners with local food banks and food pantries throughout the company’s footprint, donating pantry staples and shelf-stable products as well as fresh dairy, meat and produce. In 2019, these efforts resulted in more than 5 million pounds of food donations, equivalent to more than 4 million meals to families. In addition to feeding families, SpartanNash also diverts food to area zoos, farmers and livestock producers, repurposing the diverted product into feed for animals.

“Reducing food waste and building stronger communities are both important parts of SpartanNash’s corporate responsibility commitment,” Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communications Meredith Gremel said. “At SpartanNash, we are always looking for positive changes we can drive as we ‘take food places’ in more socially responsible, environmentally sustainable ways, and the Flashfood app is another way we can do that – all while benefitting our store guests and community partners.”

SpartanNash Foundation partners with store guests to support Habitat for Humanity

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Lauren DeVol
SpartanNash

As part of its commitment to building stronger communities, the SpartanNash Foundation invites store guests to take part in its companywide fundraising effort to build a strong foundation and a path toward homeownership in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The SpartanNash Foundation’s fundraising effort to secure shelter – one of the Foundation’s pillars – will run Feb. 12-23, supporting local Habitat for Humanity partners in eight states.

During the 12-day scan, store guests who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 or round up to the nearest dollar at the checkout register. Participating stores include Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Family Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods, Ada Fresh Market, ValuLand, SunMart, Supermercado Nuestra Familia, Econofoods, No Frills and Dillonvale IGA stores in eight states.

For a list of store locations participating in the companywide scan campaign and the local Habitat they are partnered with, visit:spartannash.com/foundation-scans.

Nearly 50 local Habitats will receive monetary support thanks to the scan to build stronger communities. One hundred percent of all funds raised during the Foundation scan campaign will go directly to local Habitats’ homebuilding initiatives. SpartanNash underwrites the costs to run the scan campaign, contributes funding and encourages associates to volunteer with local Habitat partners. 

Since 2006, SpartanNash, its associates, the SpartanNash Foundation and generous store guests have raised and granted nearly $1.9 million to support local Habitats and hardworking homebuyers.

“The SpartanNash Foundation supports community nonprofit organizations that provide hunger relief, secure shelter and support our military heroes,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications and executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “Through our retail scan campaigns, we have developed many strong partnerships with local Habitats, and we are excited to join with our store guests, associates and Habitat partners to continue to build stronger communities in 2020.

“Habitat for Humanity builds much more than homes – and together, we can help local families build a strong foundation and a brighter future.”

Habitat for Humanity’s vision is to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live. The organization is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. 

Habitat homebuyers invest 300-500 hours of sweat equity into homebuilding and mentorship classes, where they learn the responsibilities and criteria to maintain the Habitat home they purchase on a zero-percent interest rate.

In 2019, more than $1 million was granted through the SpartanNash Foundation’s companywide scan campaigns, benefitting local Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, patriotic and food pantry partners’ initiatives to build stronger communities.

SpartanNash adds 22 nutrition, lifestyle attributes to store labels

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,

By Lauren DeVol
SpartanNash

To make the healthy choice the easy choice and enable store guests to quickly and easily identify products that fit their lifestyle and nutrition needs, SpartanNash today introduced Nutrition Pathways. Nutrition Pathways are 22 nutrition and lifestyle attributes designed to help SpartanNash customers more easily identify heart healthy, sustainable, nothing artificial, organic and other key product features in store and on shopthefastlane.com.

In Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market and VG’s Grocery stores, Nutrition Pathways attributes are now displayed at the bottom of all shelf tags, allowing store guests to quickly see up to four key attributes for every product. Martin’s Super Markets, Forest Hills Foods, Family Fresh Market, Dan’s Supermarket and all other SpartanNash-owned stores will launch Nutrition Pathways by March 2020.



“Our customers are looking for healthier choices – but it can be time consuming to read through nutrition facts panels and ingredient lists and difficult to know exactly what fits into your diet,” Chief Merchandising and Marketing Executive Lori Raya said. “With Nutrition Pathways, we’ve done all the hard work for you, so your shopping trips can be quick, convenient and, most importantly, fit within your lifestyle or wellness journey.”

SpartanNash Regional Wellness Specialists used industry standards as well as evidence-based nutrition guidelines to create the definition for each Nutrition Pathway. Many of the pathways highlight the most nutritious foods on the journey to well-being – whether store guests are managing a health condition, following a food lifestyle or just wanting to make healthier choices.

Consumers generally shop for products based on four stages of wellness2:

  1. General Wellness: Customers care about everyday healthy choices and eating a variety of foods.
  2. Sustainability: Customers care about the environment, how products are made, grown or raised and appreciate food transparency.
  3. Ailments: Customers’ shopping habits revolve around ailments such as heart disease or diabetes that drive them to eat or not eat certain foods, so they read labels and ingredient lists.
  4. Life Stage: Customers want to live longer and stay healthier by making smarter choices.

“What we eat is a huge contributor to many chronic diseases, and eating a healthier diet helps prevent and treat many of these conditions,” said Barbara Karenko, DO, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “Food works as preventative medicine to keep us healthy and is essential to a person’s well-being.”

Nutrition Pathways key attributes include: 



  • Heart healthy – This product is considered ‘heart healthy’ by the American Heart Association (AHA) and contains less than 10 grams of added sugar per serving.
  • Five or less ingredients – This product has five or fewer ingredients.
  • High fiber – This product has at least five grams of fiber per serving.
  • Whole grain – The first ingredient in this product is a whole grain. 
  • No added sugar – This product does not contain any added sugar. 
  • Low sodium – This product has 140 mg or less sodium per serving. 
  • Good source protein – This product contains at least five grams of protein.
  • Gluten free – This product is gluten-free. 
  • Nut free – This product is free of tree nuts and peanuts.
  • Lactose free – This product does not contain any lactose.
  • Non-dairy – This product does not contain dairy or milk ingredients.
  • Free from – This product is free from the eight major allergens (milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy), antibiotics, high fructose corn syrup, hormones, partially hydrogenated oil ingredients, pesticides, nitrates and nitrates.
  • Nothing artificial – This product does not contain artificial color, artificial flavor, artificial sweetener or artificial preservatives.
  • Vegan (plant-based) – This product does not contain animal by-products or any animal ingredients.
  • Kosher – This product is Kosher. 
  • Organic – This product is considered organic. 
  • Non-GMO – This product does not contain any genetically modified (GMO) ingredients.
  • Sustainable – This product has one of the following claims and/or certifications: B Corp, Biobased, BPA Free, Carbon Footprint, Dolphin Safe, Environmentally Friendly, Ethical, Fair Trade, Forest Stewardship Council, FSC, Marine Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance Cert, Sustainable Farming, Sustainable Fishing, Sustainable Forest Initiative, Sustainable Packaging, Sustainable Seafood or Wild Caught.
  • Fragrance free – This product does not contain fragrance ingredients based on a derived analysis of the ingredient statement or makes a fragrance-free claim. You will find this pathway in the Beauty Care, Baby Care and Household Cleaners sections.
  • Hypoallergenic – This product claims to be hypoallergenic. You will find this pathway in the Beauty Care, Baby Care and Household Cleaners sections.
  • Paraben free – This product does not contain paraben ingredients based on a derived analysis of the ingredient statement or makes a paraben-free claim. You will find this pathway in the Beauty Care, Baby Care and Household Cleaners sections.
  • Meat first – The first ingredient in the ingredients statement of this product is identified to be a meat-containing ingredient. You will find this pathway in the Pet Food section.


On shopthefastlane.com – SpartanNash’s proprietary, intuitive online grocery shopping solution available at 70 stores in six states – all Nutrition Pathways attributes are listed, allowing customers to filter products based on their lifestyles and nutrition needs. 



Nutrition Pathways is part of SpartanNash’s “Living Well” initiatives, which also include an ever-growing assortment of organic offerings, free and reduced-cost prescriptions at their pharmacies, Kids Crew programming and Regional Wellness Specialists who serve company-owned retail stores and communities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and the greater Omaha, Neb. area.



Wellness Specialists work with community partners and healthcare organizations to raise awareness about programs such as Nutrition Pathways and provide resources about nutrition and optimal food choices.

1 Nielsen Global Health and Ingredient-Sentiment Survey. (2016, August 30). Retrieved December 30, 2019, from https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/report/2016/whats-in-our-food-and-on-our-minds/#.

2 What’s in our food and on our mind. (2016, August). Retrieved December 30, 2019, from https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/global-ingredient-and-out-of-home-dining-trends-aug-2016.pd

Miller Poultry, SpartanNash donate 16,600 pounds of chicken to local food banks

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

By Lauren DeVol
SpartanNash

SpartanNash and Miller Poultry recently donated 16,600 pounds of chicken to a pair of local food banks, helping to ensure families will have access to healthy, quality protein this holiday season.

On Dec. 10, SpartanNash and Miller Poultry donated 8,000 pounds of chicken to Access of West Michigan and its network of local food pantries – including North Kent Connect, The Other Way Ministries, The Community Basket (Dutton), The Pantry, Northwest Food Pantry, St. Alphonsus, Flat River Outreach Ministries, Westminster Food Pantry, North End Community Ministries, UCOM, Streams of Hope and the Salvation Army. The two companies then donated an additional 8,600 pounds of chicken to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan on Dec. 16. 

The donations took place at the VG’s Grocery store in Fenton, Mich. and the Metro Family Fare in Wyoming, both part of SpartanNash’s family of retail stores. VG’s Grocery and Family Fare associates helped with the distribution of the donation, reinforcing SpartanNash’s commitment to fighting hunger in the communities it serves. 

SpartanNash owns and operates more than 155 stores in nine states, including 87 stores under the banners of Ada Fresh Market, D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Forest Hills Foods, Martin’s, VG’s Grocery and ValuLand in Michigan.

“We are proud to carry Miller Poultry in our corporate-owned retail stores throughout the Midwest – and we are excited to once again team up with them to provide food to families in need this holiday season,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications for SpartanNash. “As a company that takes food places, we are committed to building stronger communities by ensuring every family has access to healthy, affordable food.”

In 2018, SpartanNash donated more than 5 million pounds of food throughout its footprint as part of its corporate responsibility initiatives, in addition to providing financial grants to food pantry partners through corporate giving initiatives and the SpartanNash Foundation. 

 

SpartanNash and Miller Poultry have taken part in this annual holiday tradition since 2008, donating more than 125,000 pounds of chicken to help families in need throughout Michigan.

“This is an important initiative for Miller Poultry, and we are proud to have teamed up with SpartanNash to make these donations,” said Galen Miller, owner and CEO of Miller Poultry. “It is a blessing to share.”

Wyoming pantry benefits from SpartanNash’s recent hunger relief campaign

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,
Family Network of Wyoming is located at 1029 44th St. SW., Wyoming. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For the Family Network of Wyoming, the SpartanNash Foundation’s recent donation of $5,100 will have a big impact on what the organization can offer. 

“It is the single largest donation we will get this year,” said Dale Echavarria, co-executive director of Family Network of Wyoming. “For about every dollar we take in, we can get about $10 of food. We feed more than 10,000 people a year. So for a small pantry like Family Network of Wyoming, the recent SpartanNash Foundation’s scan campaign for hunger relief really does make an impact.”

The Family Network of Wyoming was one of the top 10 fundraising efforts for this year’s SpartanNash Foundation’s scan campaign for hunger relief. From Oct. 23 to Nov. 3, patrons were asked if they wanted to scan up to donate to a local food pantry. 

“What that means is that say your bill was $45 and you handed the cashier $50, the cashier would ask if you want to scan up to $50 to make a donation,” Echavarria said. “People could donate a dollar, $5, or $10 or round up to the nearest dollar and people did.”

In fact, SpartanNash reported that it raised $271,150 to support more than 100 local food pantries and food banks in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. In addition to the scan campaign, the SpartanNash Foundation also granted $5,000 to 15 food pantries located near SpartanNash food distribution and MDV distribution centers, bring the total donation to $346,150, equivalent to 3.5 million meals.

“What better way to say ‘thanks’ this Thanksgiving and holiday season than to provide vital funds to more than 100 local food pantries and food banks?” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communicants and the executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “These funds will be used to put food on so many families’ tables both during the holiday season and throughout the year, providing hunger relief where it’s needed most.”

Each SpartanNash store, which includes the Family Fare chain, selected a local community food partner its campaign would support. Echavarria said Family Network of Wyoming was fortunate to receive support from the two  Family Fare stores in Wyoming, the one at the Metro Health Village  and the one located on Burlingame Avenue.

Family Network of Wyoming will serve more than 10,000 individuals this year. (Supplied)



“One of the things they let us do was set up a table and share flyers and brochures about what we do here at Family Network of Wyomig,” Echoavarria said. Family Network of Wyoming opened its doors in 2004. In its first year, the organization served 130,000 pounds of food to 1,400 households. Today, Family Network of Wyoming will serve more than 10,000 people. It has only two paid staff and operates with 43 volunteers who put n 1,200 hours a month.

Over the years, the Family Network of Wyoming has grown and expanded its services to offer food related programs: such as the the NOW program, as well as non-food programs and services: a durable medical equipment loan closet, annual Wyoming Christmas Store, and job skill classes. Echavarria said the organization also has developed the lead pantry concept, where it works with other pantries in the area to make sure that no extra food “gets wasted.”

Gremel said that an important aspect to the SpartanNash hunger relief campaign was to raise awareness about the Foundations food bank and food pantry partners — sharing the need for hunger relief with more than 2.7 million store guest during the 12-day program.

“They really walk the talk,” Echavarria said of SpartanNash, adding that along with the annual hunger campaign, SpartanNash has also provided food items to the pantry on a weekly basis.

“Wyoming has always been extremely generous,” Echavarria said, adding that last year a group of dentists and orthodontists, lead by Grandville’s Shannon Orthodontics, had a”food fight” with “us having a fleet of mini vans with all the donated food items.”

“It’s a joy,” Echavarria said of all the local support the pantry has received.

SpartanNash celebrates Family Meals Month, encourages families to eat together

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,

By SpartanNash

SpartanNash is encouraging its store guests to celebrate National Family Meals Month and share one more meal per week at home, using items purchased from the grocery store. Sponsored by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation, Family Meals Month emphasizes the importance of sharing a meal together.

According to FMI, kids – from elementary to high school age – who eat meals with their families four or more times a week earn better test scores and succeed in school. Eating family meals together is also tied to a 24 percent increase in healthy food consumption, with kids eating more fruits, vegetables, fiber, calcium-rich foods and vitamins.

During Family Meals Month, SpartanNash and its 160 corporate-owned stores are challenging customers to pledge to have one more meal together each week at home. To make it easier to do so, SpartanNash and its Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Dan’s Supermarket and Family Fresh Market stores are offering tips and tricks online, in-store and through social media using the hashtags #FamilyMealsMonth and #OurFamilyMeals.

Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Dan’s Supermarket and Family Fresh Market Facebook pages will share weekly recipe videos featuring Our Family® products, all of which are easy and nutritious weeknight family meals.

The Family Fare Facebook page (@shopfamilyfare) will host a live Q&A session on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. ET, where fans can ask food and nutrition questions to SpartanNash’s Living Well team.

Store guests are encouraged to share their own family meals using the hashtag #OurFamilyMeals.

“Sharing meals can improve a family’s health and well-being, because the more meals families share, the more likely they are to eat more fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods together,” said Tom Swanson, SpartanNash senior vice president and general manager, corporate retail. “At SpartanNash, we’re proud to do our part to support our store guests as they look for healthy, nutritious ways to bring their families together at the dinner table.

“From ready-to-cook healthy proteins to pre-cut fruits and vegetables and stir fry ingredients, our stores are stocked with ingredients to make it easier for time-starved families to enjoy a quick and easy meal together – all at budget friendly prices. During Family Meals Month and beyond, we hope all our store guests will be inspired to return to the kitchen to enjoy wholesome meals together.”

In 2017, SpartanNash earned the FMI Gold Plate Award for its support of Family Meals Month, recognizing its commitment to raising awareness of the importance of eating healthier and together as a family.

For more information about National Family Meals Month, visit fmi.org/family-meals-month

SpartanNash Foundation, store guests raise almost $260,000 for Special Olympics

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With the help of store guests and company associates, SpartanNash Foundation raised $255,200 for Special Olympics. (Supplied)

By Lauren DeVol
SpartanNash


Together with its store guests and company associates, the SpartanNash Foundation’s Special Olympics fundraising scan campaign raised $255,200 on behalf of Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. 

Between May 1 and 12, the SpartanNash Foundation hosted the companywide fundraising scan campaign in SpartanNash-owned stores throughout the Midwest, giving store guests the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 at any checkout lane.

In each state, SpartanNash stores – including Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Dan’s Supermarket and Family Fresh Market – teamed up to support Special Olympics partners, resulting in the $255,200 total.

“Along with our store guests and associates, SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation are deeply committed to supporting Special Olympics in the states we serve, and the success of our recent retail scan demonstrates that support,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications and the executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “We are most grateful to all who joined forces with the SpartanNash Foundation to support this worthy cause and raise awareness of the importance of Special Olympics’ mission and the athletes who excel through good sportsmanship and competition.”

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Since 1985, SpartanNash and its charitable giving arm, the SpartanNash Foundation, have donated more than $9.6 million and thousands of volunteer hours through its partnership with Special Olympics.

Annually, SpartanNash associates volunteer more than 2,000 hours with Special Olympics.

SpartanNash has been the Presenting Sponsor of the Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games since 1985. The company has also supported Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games since 2003.

In Michigan, SpartanNash associates also prepare and feed hundreds of volunteers throughout the State Summer Games. SpartanNash donates all of the food for the volunteers and prints the State Summer Games programs and handbooks as well.

One hundred percent of all funds raised during the annual Special Olympics fundraising scan campaign go directly to year-round sports training and athletic competition opportunities. SpartanNash underwrites the costs to run the scan campaign, contributes funding and encourages associates to volunteer during Special Olympics State Summer Games and beyond.

Check presentations to Special Olympics partners will take place in the coming weeks, often during the opening ceremonies of the state’s Summer Games. Results from the 2019 Special Olympics scan include:

  • $165,000 for Special Olympics Michigan
  • $1,300 for Special Olympics Iowa
  • $15,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota
  • $25,000 for Special Olympics Nebraska
  • $29,000 for Special Olympics North Dakota
  • $4,200 for Special Olympics Ohio
  • $6,200 for Special Olympics South Dakota
  • $9,500 for Special Olympics Wisconsin



The Special Olympics retail scan campaign is the second of four fundraising campaigns the SpartanNash Foundation will conduct in 2019. To date, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised $434,700 on behalf of local Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics partners in eight states. Upcoming retail scans will raise funds and awareness for patriotic partners (June 26-July 7) and community food pantries (Oct. 23-Nov. 3).

To learn more, visit spartannash.com/foundation-scans.

SpartanNash ‘keeps it real’ in unveiling new Family Fare redesign

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  • The Japanese ice cream, mocha, is one of many new items available at Family Fare.
  • Grab-to-go meals and ready-made starters are now available at the Family Fare stores.
  • The new Thrill on the Grill.
  • A selection of specialty cookies are on displayed next to the donuts.
  • The Fresh Divide offers a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, cut while you wait.
  • City officials and SpartanNash employees get ready to cut the ribbon.
  • The ribbon is cut.
  • The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. performed the flag raising ceremony.
  • The Wyoming police and fire received a special thank you from Family Fare.
  • Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan presents a plaque to SpartanNash CEO Dave Staples.
  • All kinds of ‘characters’ roamed the Family Fare during the May 18 open house.
  • Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll with (left) SpartanNash CEO Dave Staples and (far right) Burlingame store manager Jake Brower.
  • The new Family Fare branding is featured in the store.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It was quite the affair at the Wyoming Family Fare grocery store at 2900 Burlingame Ave. SW this past Saturday.

SpartanNash representatives, City of Wyoming officials, and community members celebrated the grand reopening of 18 Family Fare stores in the SpartanNash chain. The stores underwent about $18.3 million of renovations all designed to meet the changing needs of the community and the Family Fare customers.

“It is no surprise to me that they decided to have this ribbon cutting ceremony in the City of Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll, who recently retired from Family Fare after serving as a pharmacist for 15 years. “Where else would you have it?

“We are very pleased to have two stores that are very successful in the city of Wyoming,” Poll said. “They are beautiful stores There are a lot of new things going on and we are really excited to have them here. We look forward to much success here with SpartanNash as they lead in the industry to make this a better place to work and live.”

The redesigned featured the new branding, “keeping it real,” which is centered around creating an exceptional customer experience based. The branding focuses on five promises:

Local: A commitment to supporting local farms, produce, businesses and the community. The store features local products in every aisle along with a commitment of about 60,000 volunteering hours each year by SpartanNash employees within the community.

With value beyond price: A commitment on low prices on items and conveniences such as Thrill on the Grill and lobster mac-and-cheese grab-and-go meals, ready-made sides and starters, plus Fast Lane shopping.

With affordable wellness: A commitment to offer affordable choices that are healthier on a number of items from medications to gluten-free, plant-based proteins, or natural and organic products.

SpartanNash CEO Dave Staples talks to the crowd during the ribbon cutting ceremony on May 18. (WKTV)

Socially smart: A commitment to social and environmental consciousness that include the stores being energy efficient along with supporting a variety of programs and reducing ingredients lists on the store’s products.

Fun and indulgent: This includes the Fresh Divide, the expert Family Fare pit masters, gourmet popcorn, and an in-store taquerias featuring a full-service taco and burrito bars along with fresh-made tortillas and tamales.

“This allows us to feature popular items such as the Japanese ice cream wrapped in sticky rice (also known as Mochi),” said SpartanNash CEO Dave Staples as he talked about all the options available through the redesign to a pack crowd at the Family Fare

In fact, the Burlingame store includes many of the new features of the redesigned such as the Fresh Divide and Thrill on the Grill along wth a Starbucks cafe upon entering. The enter store has gone through an intense remodel, making the store a shopping experience.

“We want people to have an experience when they come here,” said SpartanNash Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communication Meredith Gremel. “We want them to really enjoy coming to a Family Fare.”

With the desire to create that shopping experience, SpartanNash officials decided to focus on the Burlingame location, closing the one at Rogers Plaza, according to Gremel.

Other Family Fare stores that have been remodeled include the ones in Georgetown Township, Hudsonville, Byron Center, Grandville, Holland, Kentwood, Zeeland, and Grand Rapids.

Food drive part of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. activities in Kentwood

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Little Free Pantry, usually located at the Kentwood Activities Center, has been well received since first being introduced last year.

 

In fact, according to Kentwood Parks and Recreation Coordinator Laura Barbrick, it has been so popular that at times it has been a little tough keeping it stocked.

 

So as part of this year’s Kentwood Martin Luther King Jr. event, the city will be hosting a food drive to help stock the Little Free Pantry. The food drive is set to run from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Family Fare, 6127 Kalamazoo Ave. SE and from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Celebration Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE.

 

The Little Food Pantry is located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.

Started in Arkansas with the motto “Neighbors serving neighbors,” the Little Free Pantry is similar to the little free library movement. The pantries are designed to be small and fill an immediate and local need. Basically, take an item or items when needed and leave an item or items when you can.

 

Kentwood introduced the Little Free Pantry at the 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. event. It’s official home is at the Kentwood Activities Center, however; while the center is being remodeled, the pantry has been moved to the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

 

“We have a number of families that utilize the pantry on a regular basis,” Barbrick said. “We are definitely getting more donations now that it is at the library, but we anticipate the need will continue once it moves back to the Activities Center.”

 

Donations are accepted at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during normal business hours, and once the center reopens in March, donations will be accepted there as well.

 

The city will end Jan. 15  with a program honoring Dr. King. That program will be at 4:30 p.m. at the library. There will be a proclamation from Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, a presentation by Kyle Ray, pastor of Kentwood Community Church, music by Craig Tyson, and refreshments provided by The Candied Yam.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. Campaigns for the day honoring King, who was assassinated in 1968, began soon after his death. Former President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.