Giant-Carlisle Rolls Out Racks in Stores to Promote PA-made items
CARLISLE, Pa. -- Giant Food Stores, LLC here has launched a first-of-its-kind rack program in support of the PA Preferred program, a state effort to promote items produced in Pennsylvania.
The specially designed racks, in all of Giant Food Stores' units in the state, display PA Preferred products never before carried at the chain. The program will rotate in a new assortment of PA Preferred products 120 days. If the products sell well, the grocer said it will work with the businesses producing them to stock the items on a more permanent basis.
"This unique program demonstrates Giant's commitment to developing new ways to support the local economy by offering our customers the widest selection of locally grown and produced products possible," said Giant Stores e.v.p. for sales and merchandising Jeff Martin in a statement. "We continue to work with smaller suppliers to help them succeed."
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture introduced PA Preferred in January 2004 to help market state-sourced food products and goods manufactured and processed in the state. Giant has participated program since it began, in 2006 earned recognition as the first PA Preferred "Retailer of the Year."
In May 2007 Giant and PA Preferred, together with the National Minority Supplier Development Council and St. Joseph's University's School of Marketing, hosted their first vendor trade fair. About 100 vendors displayed their products at the event, which focused on supplier diversity and small businesses.
Giant additionally supports buy-local programs in other states where it operates, including Virginia and Maryland.
Giant operates stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets, and FoodSource banners.
The specially designed racks, in all of Giant Food Stores' units in the state, display PA Preferred products never before carried at the chain. The program will rotate in a new assortment of PA Preferred products 120 days. If the products sell well, the grocer said it will work with the businesses producing them to stock the items on a more permanent basis.
"This unique program demonstrates Giant's commitment to developing new ways to support the local economy by offering our customers the widest selection of locally grown and produced products possible," said Giant Stores e.v.p. for sales and merchandising Jeff Martin in a statement. "We continue to work with smaller suppliers to help them succeed."
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture introduced PA Preferred in January 2004 to help market state-sourced food products and goods manufactured and processed in the state. Giant has participated program since it began, in 2006 earned recognition as the first PA Preferred "Retailer of the Year."
In May 2007 Giant and PA Preferred, together with the National Minority Supplier Development Council and St. Joseph's University's School of Marketing, hosted their first vendor trade fair. About 100 vendors displayed their products at the event, which focused on supplier diversity and small businesses.
Giant additionally supports buy-local programs in other states where it operates, including Virginia and Maryland.
Giant operates stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets, and FoodSource banners.