Big Y’s annual Sack Hunger campaign provides funds for the four food banks within its two-state marketing area. In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day care centers and many others through 2,100-member agencies that it assists every day. The goal is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources to help ensure food security for those at risk of hunger. These four food banks are The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Worcester County Food Bank, Greater Boston Food Bank and Connecticut Foodshare. 

For a $5 donation, customers

Hy-Vee Chairman and CEO Jeremy Gosch presented the American Red Cross with a check for $341,307 to support relief efforts from recent hurricanes that have hit the United States. The donation includes a $100,000 corporate match to the more than $241,307 raised from customers at checkout during a two-week register round up campaign.

In light of this year's hurricanes, Hy-Vee held an in-store register round up campaign at all Hy-Vee grocery stores, Dollar Fresh Markets and Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations. Customers could round up their purchases to the nearest dollar during checkout at the store

Schnuck Markets Inc. is continuing its decades-long partnership with The Salvation Army during the upcoming holiday season. Through Nov. 27 Schnucks customers had the option to donate to The Salvation Army by “Rounding Up at the Register.”

One hundred percent of the roundup donations supported The Salvation Army’s work directly in the communities in which they are donated. In 2023, Schnucks and its customers donated more than $230,000 to The Salvation Army as part of the Round Up campaign.

“Over the years, The Salvation Army has become a welcomed mainstay at Schnucks stores during the

For the third consecutive year, Meijer and its customers helped feed Midwest communities through its Simply Give hunger relief program during the week of Thanksgiving.

"The holiday season is not only a time to gather with family and friends, but also to extend a hand to our neighbors in need," said Melissa Conway, director of community partnerships and giving at Meijer. "When each of us includes a Meijer brand item in our Thanksgiving meal, we're nourishing hope for communities across the Midwest."

Since 2008, the Simply Give program has been feeding hungry families in the communities Meijer

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday growers are anticipating an improved weather pattern to take shape in the southwestern desert growing regions. 

After a very warm late summer and early fall the desert regions have seen a significant cool down and some light to moderate ice in the colder valleys. The heat in the desert region impacted germination and growth rates of many crops causing irregular head formation in leafy green fields across the region. 

Many of these early-season stands are showing light yields and carton weights due to seeder, disease pressure and other quality issues

Thanksgiving is the season of comfort food, and sweet potatoes are taking center stage, thanks to Bako Sweet and its array of creative holiday-inspired recipes and retail solutions. From traditional Sweet Potato Casserole to innovative twists like Apple Pie Stuffed Sweet Potatoes and Parmesan Crusted Sweet Potatoes, sweet potatoes are proving to be the versatile holiday hero retailers need to drive sales.

“With sweet potatoes in high demand during the holidays, our goal is to help retailers attract shoppers with vibrant packaging and seasonal shippers,” said Susan Noritake, director of sales