Industry Intelligence

Jewel-Osco will celebrate Black History Month during February with its 13th annual “A Taste of Black History” program, a month-long initiative to honor the contributions of the Chicago-area grocer’s African-American vendors and help them build on their success in the retail food business.

In addition to numerous in-store sampling events featuring African-American vendor products, Jewel-Osco will host a private reception Feb. 16 at Chicago’s South Shore Cultural Center, where guests will sample a variety of dishes prepared using African-American vendor products.

At the reception, Jewel-Osco will award $20,000 in grants to four community organizations:

- Martin Temple A.M.E. Zion Church: Hunger Relief Award for its Spoonful of Hope Soup Kitchen
- Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church: Hunger Relief Award for its Community Table Food Pantry
- GreenNet Chicago: Environmental Stewardship Award
- Girls in the Game: Nutrition Education Award

Meanwhile, Angelica’s Bakery will receive Jewel-Osco’s 2012 Vendor of the Year Award for its outstanding work in brand development and marketing.

“Our African-American vendors are important members of the Jewel-Osco family, and they are vital to our success,” said Brian Huff, Jewel-Osco president. “We want to thank them for helping us meet the diverse needs of our customers every day, and we hope consumers recognize that by purchasing African-American vendor products they are supporting these wonderful entrepreneurs.”

Celebrations and tastings throughout the month of February at select Jewel-Osco stores will give customers an opportunity to become more familiar with the company’s African-American vendor product offerings.

Following Black History Month, the grocer will continue to raise awareness of its African-American vendor products with special offers throughout the entire year, including in-store tastings, exciting sweepstakes and promotions and additional events during the summer.

Established in 1899, Jewel-Osco, a Supervalu company, operates 181 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana.