Harmons Neighborhood Grocer named four Utah-based businesses as recipients of its 2026 Local Supplier Development Grants, each receiving $5,000 to fund equipment purchases, technology upgrades and community initiatives. This year marks the first time Harmons has awarded four grants, up from three in previous years.
The winners are Happy Trowels Farm, Heber Valley Cheese, Salsa Del Diablo and Sushi Max.
2026 recipients
Happy Trowels Farm, a local flower farm supplying Harmons Floral with tulips and peonies for 20 years, will use the grant to purchase industrial labeling equipment to improve crop tracking and communicate its local roots to shoppers.
Heber Valley Cheese, a fourth-generation family-owned dairy and cheesemaker in its 11th year with Harmons, will install a live-feed camera connecting its dairy farm directly to Harmons store displays — giving customers a real-time view of where their cheese is produced.
Salsa Del Diablo, a 7-year Harmons partner that creates 16 local jobs and sources ingredients from Utah farms, will use the funds to purchase a commercial mixer to scale production. The company also donates more than 1,500 meals annually.
Sushi Max, a 4-year partner that employs 25 associates and supplies fresh sushi across Harmons locations, will direct its grant toward charitable initiatives including the Sushi Max Scholarship Fund.
Growing a decade-old program
Lori Nigh, Harmons’ EVP and COO, said the decision to expand the grant pool reflects both the quality of applicants and the company’s commitment to its supplier network.
“As a local business ourselves, the Local Supplier Development Grants program was created over a decade ago to support our local supplier partners as they grow their businesses. This year we are expanding the program by increasing the number of grant recipients from three to four,” Nigh said.
“We work with so many wonderful, dedicated supplier partners that being able to give back to these local businesses whose products have helped make Harmons what it is today is incredibly rewarding. Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients. We look forward to having them be a part of our stores for years to come.”
Harmons carries more than 3,600 local items across its stores, which the company describes as one of the largest local selections in Utah. Past grant recipients include Pettingill Fruit Farm, Cache Toffee Collection and Daily Rise Coffee (2025); Level Crossing Brewing Company, Chas W. Bagerter & Son Inc. and Johnson Family Farms (2024); and Kodiak Cakes, which received a grant in 2018 before growing into a nationally recognized brand.
Founded in 1932 as a single fruit stand, Harmons operates 20 locations across Utah.
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