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Alabama Grocers Association Honors Front-Line Heroes

Alabama grocers
Shown above are Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey; State Rep. Gil Isbell; David Bullard, president and CEO, Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co.; Bill Davis, VP of A&R Supermarkets; Harold Garrett, president, Gateway Foods; Robert Greer, chairman of the board, Greer’s Supermarkets; LaSawndra Johnson, district manager, Publix Super Markets Inc.; Patrick McWhorter, AGA legislative consultant; Jay Mitchell, VP, Mitchell Grocery; Rachel Nash, VP and regional general manager Alabama, Walmart; Lynn Rushing, regional VP, Winn-Dixie; Ellie Taylor, president, AGA; and Felix Turner, corporate affairs manager, The Kroger Co.

On Feb. 22, the Alabama Grocers Association joined supermarkets and food manufacturers nationwide in celebrating the first Supermarket Employee Day. The Food Industry Association (FMI) proclaimed this new holiday to recognize employees at every level for the work they do feeding families and enriching lives.

Alabama grocers

With more than 40,000 individual stores selling 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. The food retail industry in Alabama provides more than 70,000 jobs and has a total economic impact on the state’s economy of more than $12 billion.  

“The grocery community has been helping the state of Alabama to stay strong during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ellie Taylor, president of the Alabama Grocers Association.  “When COVID-19 forced people to home shelter, we stayed open. And we have continued to adapt and serve our 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 Trojan efforts to keep communities going. Supermarket employees have personified compassion and courage when communities have most needed to be encouraged.

Gov. Kay Ivey, left, and Ellie Taylor.

“Despite the constant changes in public health orders, supply chain disruptions and workforce challenges, our state’s grocers have worked tirelessly throughout the last year to remain open and continue to provide Alabamians with what they need,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “This has been an incredible effort by these heroes in our communities, and they deserve our gratitude and recognition for all that they do.”

Alabama State Sen. Jabo Waggoner, District 16, and Rep. Gil Isbell, District 28, also presented a joint resolution from the Alabama State Legislature declaring Feb. 22, 2021 as Supermarket Employees Day in Alabama. 

“On behalf of the Alabama Grocers Association, we invite all residents of the state of Alabama to stop in one of our stores on February 22 to congratulate and thank local supermarket heroes,” said Taylor. “Better yet, honor your favorite heroes in your social media and use the hashtags, #SupermarketEmployeeDay and #SupermarketHeroes.”

 

Harold Garrett with Gateway Foods, , chairman of AGA; Jessica Brown, AGA events; Pat McWhorter, legislative consultant; Ellie Taylor, AGA president; and Gov. Kay Ivey, front center.
Rachel Nash with Walmart; Lynn Rushing with WinnDixie; LaSawndra Johnson with Publix; and Felix Turner with Kroger.
Rep. Gil Isbell, right, presents AGA Chairman Harold Garrett with Gateway Foods Legislative Joint Resolution.
State Rep. Gil Islbell
Robert Greer of Greer’s Supermarket.
Gov. Kay Ivey
Robert Greer with Greer’s Supermarket; Bill Davis with A&R Super Markets; Jay Mitchell with Mitchell Grocery; David Bullard with PWADC; and Harold-Garrett with Gateway Foods.

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