July 25, 2022 – Last week, our great local U.S. brand Giant Food, announced the release of its second annual Better Neighbor Report. The report is an extensive account of Giant Food’s 2021 efforts across areas of charitable giving, education, partnerships, innovation and development throughout the communities it serves in the district of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.
“We believe transparency brings both accountability and change, and we recognize the important role we play as a local retailer and essential service in our communities,” said Ira Kress, President of Giant Food. “We’re committed to publishing our work and progress as we strive to continue to improve every day and serve as a positive presence and leader for our associates, customers and partners across each of the communities we are privileged to serve.”
Within the report are details of Giant’s initiatives in serving its customers, associates and communities throughout 2021. Highlights from the report include:
Better Neighbor
- 4,600,288 pounds of food donated to communities through Giant’s Feeding America food bank partners
- $1.25 million donated to the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore through a combined effort of Giant and its customers to support local service members and their families
- $2.29 million raised through the Annual Pediatric Cancer Fundraising Program benefitting The Children’s Cancer Foundation and Johns Hopkins Oncology Department
- $300,000 donated to local organizations working to eliminate race, ethnic, gender, health and economic disparities
- $2 million pledged through the Giant Family Foundation to communities facing severe economic and health inequalities
- 900 participants impacted by the growth of the Produce Rx Nutrition Incentive Program, in partnership with DC Greens to provide healthy fruits and veggies
- 3.9 million plastic bags saved from landfills and 102,400 meals provided to local nonprofits through the Giant Bags4Cause fundraising program
Better Place to Shop
- Over 1,100 classes, store tours and community events offered by the Giant Healthy Living team
- Over 38,000 individuals reached through nutrition education efforts
- Over 1 million vaccines administered, including COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to community members at 152 Giant Pharmacy locations as well as through mobile vaccine clinics
- Continued to spotlight 218 diverse suppliers offering over 3,100 products to Giant customers
- Grew local vendor partnerships to over 200, partnered with more than 50 local farms, to offer over 800 local products and growing
- Launched a local aisle online at giantfood.com featuring a collection of local offerings including over 70 unique online exclusive items
- Launched online SNAP benefits allowing customers to pay for grocery delivery or pickup orders with an EBT card
Better Place to Work
- Named one of The Washington Post’s Top Places to Work 2021
- Earned 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the third consecutive year for efforts in LGBTQ+ workplace equality
- Offered associate engagement in Business Resource Groups including Pride, THRIVE, Giant Veterans, Women’s Inclusive Network, Corporate Council and Young Professionals
- $130,000 in scholarships and grants awarded to 40 associates
- #HealthyAtWork program offered to associates led by over 160 Healthy Living Ambassadors
- Celebrated top performing leadership members and associates through 73 Presidential Awards for Top Values in motion winners, two Top Women in Grocery award recipients and 11 Women of Influencer winners
For more information, view the full Better Neighbor Report here.
