Kent’s Market commemorated Armed Forces Day by hosting its annual Meals for Military event in partnership with Operation Homefront, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and dozens of national and local vendors.
On May 16, volunteers lined up to greet more than 400 military families, many of whom are lower-income service members stationed at nearby Hill Air Force Base.
From 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., each family drove through and had their vehicles loaded with bags of groceries, household essentials, fresh produce, gift cards and other donated goods.
The program launched in 2021 with 50 families and two bags of groceries and has grown every year since.
This year, more than30,000 in labor, $30,000 in groceries 15,000 cash to Operation Homefront.
“It’s incredible to see how this event has grown year after year,” said Allen Christensen, marketing and advertising manager for AFS.
“Kent’s puts their all into this for their communities. When you see these families drive through and the looks on their faces, you realize just how meaningful this support is.
“It’s an honor for AFS to stand alongside Kent’s and our vendor partners in giving back to the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country.”
Several AFS leaders volunteered at the event, including Boyd Irving, VP of center store; Mindy Miller, VP of retail data analytics; David Panter, VP of business intelligence; and Todd Bell, VP of procurement, among others.
Kent’s Market President and CEO Jon Fawson invited AFS team members to participate, noting that more than 800 military members are deployed from nearby Hill Air Force Base.
“This is our way of giving back to those families who are sacrificing so much during this time,” Fawson said.
Volunteers from Operation Homefront, Hill Air Force Base, more than 25 vendor partners and AFS team members worked to distribute products and load vehicles.
In addition to groceries, families were treated to a barbecue meal prepared by Kent’s and entered into prize drawings for sporting goods, camping gear and outdoor equipment.
According to Operation Homefront, one in four junior enlisted military families report food insecurity. The Kent’s program has been recognized as best in class nationally by the nonprofit, which has exclusively partnered with Kent’s and AFS in Utah.
About Kent’s Market and Associated Food Stores
Kent’s Market is a Utah‑based independent grocer. Associated Food Stores is a retailer‑owned wholesale cooperative serving independent grocers across the Intermountain West.
