Metcalfe’s, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, will join supermarkets and food manufacturers nationwide Feb. 22 in celebrating the first Supermarket Employee Day. FMI – The Food Industry Association has proclaimed this special day of recognition to acknowledge employees at every level for the work they do feeding families and enriching lives.
Metcalfe’s announced the state of Wisconsin, city of Madison, city of Wauwatosa and Dane County have each issued a proclamation declaring Feb. 22, 2021, as Supermarket Employee Day. In addition, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin will enter a statement on behalf of supermarket workers in the Congressional Record that day. To celebrate, Metcalfe’s fourth-generation owners Tim Metcalfe, president, and Kevin Metcalfe, director of operations, along with Tim’s daughter, Amanda Metcalfe, director of employee relations, will gather at Metcalfe’s West Towne location (7455 Mineral Point Road) at noon. They will be joined by Monica Sundal, on behalf of Baldwin, Rep. Shelia Stubbs (77th Assembly District), Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. Proclamations will be read at that time and Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, will accept on behalf of all of the essential grocery workers of Wisconsin.
“On behalf of Metcalfe’s, we invite all Wisconsin residents to take a moment on Feb. 22 in person or virtually to congratulate and thank local supermarket heroes,” said Tim Metcalfe. “Better yet, honor your favorite heroes in your social media and use the hashtags, #SupermarketEmployeeDay and #SupermarketHeroes.
“With more than 40,000 individual stores that sell food and grocery items in the U.S. alone, supermarkets are the backbones of our communities. Millions of supermarket employees come to work daily to keep shelves stocked and to provide communities with essential services that help them survive and thrive,” Metcalfe said.
“Grocery workers across Wisconsin have been helping their communities to stay strong during the COVID-19 pandemic” Scholz said. “When COVID-19 forced people to home shelter, grocery stores stayed open. And they have continued to adapt and serve their communities every day. There is no question that supermarket employees are heroes. We are thrilled to honor and celebrate them!”
Despite supply chain disruptions or work-force reductions, supermarket employees have demonstrated tremendous efforts to keep communities going. Supermarket employees have personified compassion and courage when communities have most needed to be encouraged.
“Supermarket employees have earned our gratitude and respect, which is why we are creating a holiday to celebrate them,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI – The Food Industry Association. “The fact is they always have been frontline heroes during periods of crisis. In the face of natural disasters or global pandemics, these brave and dedicated individuals keep communities strong and moving forward.”
Metcalfe’s is a family-owned and -operated neighborhood market that has been operating since 1917. In 2000, brothers Tim and Kevin Metcalfe purchased the family business from their father, Tom Metcalfe, becoming the fourth generation of Metcalfe’s to be in the grocery business. Tim and Kevin Metcalfe are great-grandsons of founders, Henry and Teresa Hess. There are currently three Metcalfe’s Market locations in Southeast Wisconsin: two in Madison and one in Wauwatosa. A Metcalfe’s To Go is also located at the Dane County Regional Airport. From creating a local food miles program featuring more than 3,500 local foods to 100 percent green power and composting, Metcalfe’s is committed to a more sustainable Wisconsin.
