FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced the three recipients of its 2025 Community Uplift Awards – Giant Food, Hy-Vee Inc. and United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI).
A panel of judges selected the programs from among 23 nominees for their efforts in addressing food insecurity, neighborhood health needs and social impact programs. In addition, FMI recognizes honorable mentions for each category.
“Community engagement and neighborhood improvement are more than nice-sounding words for the food industry; they are commitments being realized every day. This year’s recipients give evidence that the food industry’s customer support goes well beyond the walls of the local store,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin.
“Giant Food, Hy-Vee and UNFI have each demonstrated how industry leadership, when paired with compassion and creativity, can drive lasting change. We are proud to recognize these companies for going beyond business as usual to build stronger, healthier communities.”
Food Insecurity Program Award Recipient
Giant Food – Food as Medicine
Giant Food’s Food as Medicine program leverages community partnerships and healthcare collaboration to increase food access for those facing food insecurity or chronic illness.
Funded through grants and activated via Giant’s loyalty platform, participants receive automatic coverage for curated, health-supportive foods at checkout.
Rooted in data and guided by the Guiding Stars nutrition system, the program has enabled more than $1.5 million in healthy food purchases since 2021.
Food Insecurity Honorable Mention Recipient: Red Gold Run To Crush Hunger
Neighborhood Health Improvement Program Award Recipient
Hy-Vee Inc. – Hy-Vee Supports the American Heart Association Through Fundraising and Education
Hy-Vee partnered with the American Heart Association to support its Life Is Why campaign, raising more than $265,000 in May through an in-store register roundup initiative. The campaign also provided free CPR education in four markets.
By combining fundraising with accessible education, Hy-Vee amplified awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The initiative reached more than 1.3 million through media coverage and internal engagement.
Neighborhood Health Improvement Honorable Mention Recipient: Brookshire Grocery Company, BCG Community Kitchen
Social Impact Program Award Recipient
UNFI – Food Recovery Initiative
UNFI is advancing food recovery nationwide through its Better for All strategy and UNFI Foundation grants.
In fiscal year 2024, the company donated more than 20 million pounds of surplus food and launched recovery initiatives at UNFI-selling shows, diverting tens of thousands of pounds to food banks.
The foundation awarded $1.5 million in grants to 61 nonprofits, supporting community-based solutions that recovered more than 40 million pounds of food.
Social Impact Honorable Mention Recipient: Southeastern Grocers, From Classroom to Career with SEG
About the Community Uplift Awards
In collaboration with FMI’s strategic partner, The Shelby Report, a panel of judges scored each program based on participation, ability to address community need, breadth and depth of the program and creativity.
The panel included The Shelby Report‘s VP/Publisher Maggie Kaeppel and Ernest Baskin, associate professor and chair of the Food, Pharma and Healthcare Department at Saint Joseph’s University
The three program recipients will each receive $1,000 to help expand their community uplift programs, along with a plaque.
Learn more about its 2025 Community Uplift Award recipients and the stories among the nominees, including The Fresh Market, Strack & Van Til, Winn Dixie, SpartanNash, Stop & Shop, Schnucks, Dollar General, Briar Patch Food Co Op and Hannaford at www.FMI.org/CommunityUplift.
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