Associated Food Stores celebrates Supermarket Employee Appreciation Day

Grocery cooperative Associated Food Stores shined a spotlight on employees yesterday in recognition of FMI-The Food Industry Association’s new Supermarket Employee Day event.

Proclaimed by FMI last month, Supermarket Employee Day calls on companies and industry organizations to set aside Feb. 22 to honor grocery workers and the key role they play in feeding and supporting the health of the communities they serve, especially since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. FMI created an online suite of turnkey tools and resources to help members mark the occasion.

Associated Food Stores said Tuesday that its team received 5% off all purchases made on Feb. 22 plus a thank you card with an “I’m essential” bracelet. The Salt Lake City-based company noted that its employees have “not backed down in facing last year’s panic-buying, hurricane winds, earthquakes and the ongoing fight against COIVD-19.”

“I am constantly impressed by our hard-working, enthusiastic team. They come to work regardless of what’s taking place in the outside world because they know the work they do has a larger purpose,” David Rice, president of retail at Associated Food Stores, said in a statement. “Without our team, we could not do what we do. Supermarkets are essential, which makes our team essential. I want our team to know how much I appreciate and admire them for all they do.”

Related:FMI’s Supermarket Employee Day makes debut

In addition, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a declaration to observe Feb. 22 as Supermarket Employee Appreciation Day in the state, which has nearly 43,000 food retail workers. The declaration said supermarket employees “provide access to safe, healthy and affordable food … work to enhance the health and well-being of each customer … and contribute and volunteer countless hours in their communities.”

Cox also recorded a video to give words of thanks and appreciation for Associated Food Stores and other supermarket employees across the state.

“I want to let all Utah grocery store employees know how much we appreciate you. The entire state of Utah recognizes that you’re important and [your] critical efforts, and we are thankful to you and the job that you do,” Cox said in the video. “Grocery stores have always and will always play an essential role for our state — one that I think many of us took for granted but which became very apparent when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.”

Associated Food Stores owns and operates about 35 grocery stores in Utah under five banners — Lin’s, Macey’s, Fresh Market, Dick’s Fresh Market and Dan’s Fresh Market — and supplies more than 400 retailers across eight states through its distribution center in Farr West, Utah. The company’s retail operations also include Ace hardware stores.

Related:FMI proclaims ‘Supermarket Employee Day’

All photos courtesy of Associated Food Stores.