Rainbow Coalition Seeks Influence at Supermarkets

JON SPRINGER

NEW YORK — The Rainbow PUSH Coalition here on Thursday said it had purchased stock in 25 food-industry companies, including several supermarket retailers, with an eye on challenging those companies to improve economic opportunities for minority businesses and communities.

"We want to bring added value to the food and beverage industry," Rev. Jesse Jackson, president and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, said in a statement.

"We represent underserved markets, underutilized talent, and untapped capital. Forging and expanding partnerships between major food and beverage corporations and minority businesses leads to growth and everybody wins."

The group said it would seek meetings with corporate leaders and strategically attend stockholder meetings "to advance our mission of expanding minority participation and inclusion in the food and beverage industry."