Salt Lake City, Utah-based Associated Food Stores (AFS) recapped its activities related to “America’s Potluck,” a nationwide celebration July 5 to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary through shared meals and community gatherings.
The potluck was tied to America250, the official nonpartisan initiative established by Congress to commemorate the Semiquincentennial on July 4. AFS said the campaign fit well with its mission as a cooperative built on strengthening communities through local independent grocers. It supported the potluck effort through community donations, retailer resources and local partnerships across Utah.
Local pie and recipes add Utah flavor
The cooperative donated 200 servings of Red Button Vintage Creamery pie to the Catholic Community Services Dining Hall, extending the celebration to guests at the Salt Lake City facility.
AFS also developed in-store signage and online advertising to help retailers promote America’s Potluck, and contributed five Utah-inspired recipes to the the America’s Potluck website featuring dishes such as fry sauce, funeral potatoes and pasta salad.
“America’s Potluck was a unique opportunity to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday while recognizing the power of food to connect people,” said Sarah Pettit, AFS director of public affairs. “We were honored to support this effort alongside our retailers, community partners and the many individuals who helped make the celebration a success.”
Involving influencers
AFS partnered with Lee’s Marketplace and local influencer Jennifer Burns on a related event that drew 35 of Utah’s food influencers, building on the retailer’s earlier America’s Potluck kickoff event held with Utah First Lady Abby Cox.
AFS said the collaboration highlighted the role grocery stores play in bringing people together around food. The company credited the team that supported the initiative. Members of that team included Maddie Gillbert, Jade Romano, Kim Ownes, Josh Smith, Boyd Irving, Gordon Saunders, Leonard Steeper, Andrew Wischerath, Ryan Barnes, Todd Humphery, Jamie Stevenson, Ryan Ogden and the team at Lee’s Marketplace.
Associated Food Stores is an independent retailer-owned wholesaler providing warehousing, distribution and retail services to nearly 500 grocers operating in the Intermountain West region.