The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) announced the Silver Plate Award winners of its 2025 Bag Hunger Campaign, which collected 1.9 million meals and $16,500 for neighborhood hunger-relief organizations across the state.
Since the program launched in 2008, MGA hunger campaigns have delivered more than 47 million meals to Minnesota families.
The campaign engages grocers, vendor partners and customers through in-store donation drives, round-up-at-register programs and display competitions tied to the Bag Hunger theme.
Silver Plate Award winners
The Best Creative Partnership Silver Plates – awarded to vendor-retailer teams that created hunger-awareness displays with a central educational theme – went to three pairings this year:
- Festival Foods, Andover and KEMPS;
- Kowalski’s Market and Russ Davis Wholesale; and
- Mackenthun’s Fine Foods and KEMPS.
The Best Campaign Execution Silver Plate was awarded company-wide to Jerry’s Foods in Eden Prairie.
Chris’ Food Center in Sandstone received the Best Innovative Marketing Silver Plate, while the Best Community Hunger Support Silver Plate went to Super One Foods/Miner’s Inc.
Each honoree receives $1,000 to donate to the food charity of its choice.
Campaign champions
Six companies were recognized as Campaign Champions, each receiving $500 to direct to a food charity of their choice: Crystal Farms Dairy, Cub Foods, Lunds & Byerlys, Post Consumer Brands, Prairie Farms Dairy and Teal’s Market.
Association’s perspective
MGA President Patrick Garofalo said the results reflect a model that works because it draws participation from every tier of the supply chain.
“The success of the Bag Hunger Campaign is driven by the extraordinary generosity and commitment of our members, vendor partners, community food support organizations and, most importantly, Minnesota’s grocery customers,” Garofalo said.
“The enthusiasm and dedication shown by everyone involved are truly inspiring. Grocers are proud to serve their communities and to be part of this collective effort to fight hunger across Minnesota. Congratulations to our Silver Plate Award winners and Campaign Champions for their creative, engaging and impactful contributions.”