Hannaford Supermarkets is proud to return as the title sponsor of the seventh annual Hannaford Kidz Expo at the Empire State Plaza on Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hannaford and the New York State Office of General Services are busy planning an exciting day of entertainment and education for both children and parents, including theatre and musical performances, arts and crafts, and hands-on activities.
The Hannaford Kidz Expo is one of many events which underscore Hannaford’s commitment to supporting local youth.
As soon as the snow melts away, Hannaford will help underwrite the cost of Little League baseball programs through its annual “Pitch for Kids” campaign. Hannaford’s support will subsidize entry fees and provide equipment for children in need between the ages of 5-12 who might otherwise be unable to participate in youth softball and baseball due to financial hardship. Since beginning the Pitch for Kids initiative in 2007, Hannaford has contributed $163,000 to local Little League programs in New York.
Hannaford will encourage healthy lifestyles with the introduction of its new “Veggie of the Month”, which promotes the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables for children. Each month, Hannaford stores throughout the Capital Region will feature a seasonal vegetable along with simple, kid-approved recipes developed by a Certified Health Coach to incorporate the vegetable into at-home meals. Kids will also be encouraged to keep track of how many fruits and vegetables they eat each day with the help of a special “Gimme 5” Veggie Tracker, which allows children to easily record the type and quantity of produce consumed on a daily basis. The “Gimme 5” Veggie Trackers are available at the “Veggie of the Month” display in the produce section of all participating stores throughout the Capital Region.
Hannaford will continue its commitment to providing healthy, delicious and affordable options for families with the introduction of its new Fresh Meals in Minutes program. Fresh Meals in Minutes allows shoppers to access all the elements of a delicious meal in one location within the supermarket and plan dinner on short notice. Each part of a ready-to-cook, fresh meal – a protein, starch, vegetable and sauce – is individually packaged and located with other Fresh Meals in Minutes items in the Hannaford meat case. Several kinds of ready-to-cook foods are available in each category, making it easy for customers to plan and customize meals to suit their individual tastes. Each meal can be prepared in 10 to 20 minutes and will feed two to three people, offering restaurant-sized portions. Meals involving all four components can be purchased for as little as $10 and individual elements are also available for purchase separately. Additionally, the meals meet Hannaford’s nutrition standards, with about three quarters of the program elements currently earn one or more stars, identifying them as particularly healthy under the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance system.
On the academic front, Hannaford stores serve as the canvas for an innovative internship called the Black and Latino Achievers program. Formed through a partnership with the Capital District YMCA, the high-school internship is designed to encourage Black and Latino students to further their education and explore unique career options. The program helps to highlight career opportunities that are available to students within the supermarket retail industry. For more information about the Black and Latino Achievers internship program contact Capital District YMCA Program Director James Hidalgo at 518-869-3500.
Hannaford also supports education through the Hannaford Helps Schools program. Now in its 12th year, the annual program has raised over $6.75 million to support education initiatives for nearly 2,700 schools. Open to grades K–12, the program allows shoppers to raise money for schools in their community to go towards activities and equipment — such as computers, sports gear and playground items — by simply buying eligible products during the promotional period from September through the first week in December. Each Hannaford store also donates an additional $1,000 to the school in their area that earns the most money.
2011 also saw Hannaford continue its dedication to hunger relief through programs aimed at providing aid and assistance to food pantries. The “Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger” program, a joint endeavor between Hannaford stores and their shoppers, has generated approximately $1 million in cash and product donations to support food banks in five states over the past two years.
Hannaford celebrated the holiday season by returning for the eighth consecutive season as the title sponsor of the Albany Police Athletic League’s signature fundraiser, Hannaford Capital Holiday Lights in the Park. One of the Capital Region’s most treasured holiday traditions, the annual event illuminates Albany’s Washington Park with thousands of festive bright lights and seasonal displays in support of the programming and activities offered through PAL, which cater to the ever-changing needs of the Capital Region’s youth while allowing them a safe place to learn, play, and grow into tomorrow’s leaders.
Hannaford sponsors an array of other health-related events, activities and organizations, including the Capital Region Spelling Bee; Capital District YMCA; Capital Region Special Surgery Race for Hope; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Reading, Writing and Rhyming Tour; American Heart Association; Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure; Capital District AIDS Walk; American Cancer Society Relay for Life Walks; Ronald McDonald House; March of Dimes; Arthritis Foundation; FoodPlay; and the Troy Turkey Trot.
Whether the mission is to assist the less fortunate through donations to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York or to provide the resources to educate children and families about health and wellness through events such as the Hannaford Kidz Expo, Hannaford Supermarkets is proud to serve all the residents of the greater Capital Region.
