Unified Sponsors Youth Employment Program

SN STAFF

LOS ANGELES — Unified Grocers here said Tuesday it is providing opportunities for 57 high school students to learn how the grocery industry works through its 16th annual Summer Youth Employment Program.

Al Plamann

The seven-week program is designed to give students an understanding of the industry, teach them how corporations function and help them develop job skills while working in various departments throughout the company. Among their activities will be hands-on instructional presentations, store visits and tours of food manufacturing facilities.

Unified will also sponsor an essay contest that will enable students to win scholarships in the amounts of $1,000, $500 or $250 to help further their educations.

This year's program includes 32 students from the Los Angeles area; seven from Northern California; nine from Portland, Ore.; and nine from Seattle. Each group will work in one of Unified's distribution centers in their area.

"Our Summer Youth Employment Program has continued to flourish over the years because of the valuable learning experience it provides to everyone involved," said Al Plamann, chief executive officer. "In addition of what the students learn, our company's employees and management greatly benefit from the interaction and the fresh ideas these students bring to our organization."