Congratulations to Kathy Sweigert, Mid-Atlantic vice president, who has been named a 2024 Above and Beyond honoree by City & State PA. The annual award program recognizes 50 influential women across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are blazing new trails and demonstrating exemplary leadership and impact in their respective fields. With over 23 years in retail grocery, Kathy is a collaborative and passionate leader with an unmatched commitment to excellence and a strong understanding and appreciation of the needs of her team and the communities The GIANT Company serves. She has held various operations and human resources roles throughout her career and was promoted to her current role in November 2023, where she oversees retail operations at 100 GIANT and MARTIN'S stores across Central and Western Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Kathy has been recognized for her professional and philanthropic contributions, receiving the FMI—Food Industry Association Store Manager of the Year Award, the YWCA of Harrisburg's Woman of Excellence Award, and a two-time winner of Progressive Grocer's Top Women in Grocery Award. Kathy previously served on the board of directors for the Blair County Action Program and is the executive sponsor of The GIANT Company's PRIDE business resource group, which supports an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ members and allies to build awareness and understanding. We're so proud of you, Kathy!
Please join us in congratulating Joanna Crishock, who has been named vice president of center store omnichannel merchandising! “With vast experience in consumer insights, strategy and most recently, commercial planning, price strategy, and marketing, Joanna brings tremendous knowledge and strength to her new role,” said John Ruane, president, The GIANT Company. “She is passionate about building strategic and winning relationships with our suppliers and I’m excited to see how she will leverage her expertise to advance our omnichannel strategy, drive performance, and exceed customer expectations.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehcZnTJd
At The GIANT Company, we’re committed to breaking barriers that stand in the way of gender equality during Women’s History Month and every day. Ensuring supplier diversity is just one of the ways we actively bridge the gap. We’re proud to carry the products of several women-owned businesses in our stores – check ‘em out below and add them to your cart today! Katey Evans, co-founder, The Frozen Farmer: Farm crafted, low calorie pints of sorbet and Frobert, a mix of sorbet and ice cream, made from fruit. Jo-Ann Obergfell, president, G.A. Productions, LLC d/b/a Ellio's Pizza: Rectangular pizza slices topped with end-to-end flavor. Loren (Brill) Castle, founder and CEO, Sweet Loren's: Delicious, clean baked goods that are gluten free, dairy free, and Non-GMO. Lindsey Hickey, CEO and co-owner, Simek's Foods: Convenient, frozen lasagna and meatballs, all made with quality ingredients and homemade taste. Tricia Wallwork, CEO, Milo's Tea Company, Inc.: Teas and lemonades made with real ingredients and no preservatives or added colors. Ayeshah Abuelhiga, founder and CEO, Mason Dixie Foods: Homestyle, better for you baked goods, all crafted with a focus on wholesome ingredients. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eDcTJ9qc
Please join us in celebrating Jennifer Scott, MBA, chief of staff and director of community relations and charitable giving, who has been named a 2024 Woman of Excellence by the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. The annual award program, now in its 35th year, recognizes Central Pennsylvania's extraordinary women for their professional and philanthropic contributions to the region. Jennifer has been a part of The GIANT Company team since 2012 and has held various merchandising roles during her tenure. As chief of staff, Jennifer oversees strategic business initiatives from development through successful execution under the guidance of senior leadership and department leads, helping to drive the company forward. Earlier this year, she added director of community relations and charitable giving to her responsibilities. In this role, Jennifer is responsible for developing and executing the company's strategic corporate social responsibility programming focused on eliminating hunger and changing children's lives. In all that she does, Jennifer embraces the company's purpose of connecting families for a better future and giving back to the communities she serves. She is active in the Middletown Area School District, serving as a volunteer-elected school board member. Jennifer also serves on the joint operating committee for Dauphin County Technical School as vice president and on the boards of Court Appointed Special Advocates and Urban League of Philadelphia.
We're committed to bringing customers more products from Certified Diverse-Owned Businesses, especially those with a strong history, purpose, and commitment to community. In honor of hashtag#BlackHistoryMonth, here are just a few Black-owned businesses available in our stores. It's just one way we're actively ensuring supplier diversity and working toward closing the gap. Andy's Seasoning: What started in the home kitchen of Reuben "Andy" and Katherine Anderson back in 1981 has grown into a successful, flavorful seasoning company. Today, their son, Larry W. Lee, continues their legacy. Their unique blends of exotic spices and premium ingredients enhance any meal with a consistent, delicious, and savory taste. Patti's Good Life: The mission of Patti's Good Life is "To live with love and cook with soul," and Patti LaBelle takes it seriously. She created Patti's Good Life, a line of delicious food, beverages, condiments, and beautiful everyday housewares to celebrate family, friends, fun, and all good things. From comfort foods and southern sides to desserts that beg everyone to gather around, Patti's recipes are created with family meals in mind. Blanket Pancakes & Syrup: Pancakes have always been a favorite in the Carter family, but the need for a healthier option led them to create their own pancake made with all-natural ingredients. Learn more about these and other Black-owned businesses: https://lnkd.in/eTxAMBnG
Ramadan Mubarak! Wishing everyone who celebrates peace, happiness, and goodness this holy month and always.
Kicking off our hashtag#SupermarketEmployeeDay celebration is Robin Pifer, manager of store support at our Perishable Distribution Center in Carlisle, Pa. Robin joined the team in March 2022. Her days can best be described as fast and full, as she is a key liaison between the PDC and stores. From communicating on deliveries, scheduling, and holiday planning to navigating supply chain updates and supporting sustainability and safety initiatives, Robin does a little bit of it all – and then some! We asked Robin what she liked most about her job, and she was quick with her answer. “Working with our amazing team members, helping others, and contributing to the success of our company. No two days are the same, but every day is fulfilling and rewarding.” As Robin approaches her 2nd anniversary with The GIANT Company, she couldn’t help but reflect on the company’s recent 100th anniversary. “What an honorable accomplishment! In my opinion, the secret to 100 years of success is staying the course of what we do well while being nimble enough to adjust to the ever-changing world around us. It’s about staying true to company values and promises and caring for our team members and communities. And our people! So many team members have started their careers here and worked through the organization; it’s normal to talk to people who have worked with the company for 25 years, 30 years, or even more. It’s inspiring!” Thank you, Robin, for all that you do for The GIANT Company!
At The GIANT Company, we are 35,000 team members strong, each of whom plays an important part in caring for our team, customers, and the communities we serve. At the top of that list are our regional operations coordinators (ROC), the unsung heroes who seemingly make the impossible possible. So, it’s only fitting that we celebrate that team as part of our hashtag#SupermarketEmployeeDay celebration! Say hi to Amanda Raybuck, ROC for Western Pennsylvania. Amanda started her career with the company in 2011, holding a variety of front-end roles in the MARTIN'S store in DuBois, Pa. After successfully completing an internship with the company in 2012, she became an assistant store manager of center store, followed by a stint as the assistant store manager of customer experience in 2016. In 2018, looking for a change of pace as a working mom, she took on her current role, supporting 16 stores. “There’s a lot of variety in my job, which I enjoy. One day, I can plan and facilitate a meeting for the region, then be in a store, and the next, I’ll be volunteering with a store team in the community. There’s always reporting, compliance checks, and helping my regional leadership team with special projects. This role is a natural fit for me because I like to help people and solve problems, and I take great pride in supporting my team.” Words of wisdom, Amanda! We’re all lucky to know you and learn from you. Thanks for all you do to keep your region running - and making it look easy
We hope you're loving our team member celebrations in honor of hashtag#SupermarketEmployeeDay as much as we are! Up next, we head to Philadelphia to say hello to the manager of the University City GIANT Heirloom Market, Johnathan Heron! Johnathan's journey with the company dates back to 2009 when he joined the Southampton, Pa., GIANT as a part-time grocery member. Growing through new opportunities, he worked his way up to a full-time overnight position before being named night manager. He worked in each of the assistant manager roles before becoming manager of the Maple Glen, Pa., GIANT in 2023, a position he held until earlier this year. A true people person, Johnathan spends his day doing what you'd expect of a store manager – reviewing performance against goals, leading and assisting the team through daily tasks, and troubleshooting as needed – but he counts his interactions with customers and team members as the highlight of each day. "Whether it's serving a customer or coaching a team member, I love that I get to interact with people and influence their experience and perspective, and hopefully, when they leave our store, they do so happy and with a positive feeling." Johnathan, we're so glad you took a chance on The GIANT Company and have chosen to grow with us! You make us better, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish next!
Kids can’t learn without proper nutrition. Our Feeding School Kids program donates funds to support school meal programs, helping to connect kids to a better future through better nutrition and, in turn, a stronger education. Just one month into our 2024 campaign, our customers have generously rounded up at checkout and donated more than $440,000 to help us eliminate student hunger in the communities we serve. Participating public school districts will use the funds to support meal programs, supply backpacks with weekend food, clear outstanding student lunch debt, build on-campus food pantries, and establish garden programs. Help us address student food insecurity by rounding up at the register from now through March 31 and learn more about our Feeding School Kids program at https://lnkd.in/eafPdAUM.
