Harris Teeter Teams With Meat, Produce Vendors for Community COVID-19 Relief

Harris Teeter, with the assistance of select vendors, is donating 640,000 pounds of much-needed protein and fresh produce to help feed needy community members amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 20 truckloads carrying more than 534,000 meals were distributed to local food banks in Harris Teeter’s operating areas.

Harris Teeter’s meat suppliers, Sanderson Farms and Tyson, as well as produce suppliers Sol Melons, Ayco Farms Inc., New York Apples, Washington Fruit & Produce Co., Seald Sweet International, Pacific Trellis Fruit and California Giant Berry Farms joined forces for the food bank donations aimed at helping families within its communities—especially children, seniors and veterans—alleviate food insecurity.

“Harris Teeter is committed to being there for our communities when they need us most,” said Danna Robinson, communication manager for the Matthews, N.C.-based regional retailer. “Our retail heroes are working hard to provide our shoppers with the items they need most, but we also know many of our neighbors are struggling with food insecurity. With the support of our generous partners, these donations will provide relief to our food bank partners working around the clock to address the increased need for emergency food.”

While Harris Teeter has focused heavily on serving shoppers and communities, the company is also committed to supporting its supply chain partners working hard behind the scenes to ensure shelves are well stocked and families are fed, Robinson said.

To that end, for every truckload of product donated by its suppliers, Harris Teeter purchased a matching truckload for donation and distributed the meals among Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, N.C.; Manna Food Bank in Asheville, N.C.; Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh, N.C.; Lowcountry Food Bank in Charleston, S.C.; Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia in Virginia Beach; and Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C.

“Many restaurants are closed, which means suppliers have a surplus of foodservice items available. Together, we’re able to divert this product from our landfills and place it in the homes of hungry families,” Robinson said. “We are deeply appreciative of the partnership and generosity of our suppliers.”

In-store, Harris Teeter began its COVID-19 Relief Round Up campaign this week in all locations to invite shoppers to round up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout. The initiative supports pandemic relief efforts to benefit local food banks' efforts to meet emergency supply demands.

“Our shoppers have asked us how they can give back, and this COVID-19 Relief Round Up will provide an easy way to donate change at checkout,” Robinson said. “Through hosting Round Up campaigns, we’ve seen that a little change can make a big difference for our nonprofit partners.”

Harris Teeter is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. and operates stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.