Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
#WomenHistoryMonth might only get 31 days on the calendar, but our mission to break down barriers for all women isn't limited to any one month. It's up to us to champion the future we want to see for today and tomorrow's female leaders. Together, we can and will create a more equitable world. To the women of The GIANT Company, we are so grateful for all that you do. Thank you for bringing your very best to the table!
We couldn't let #NationalNutritionMonth wrap up without recognizing our incredible team of dietitians! Each day, Holly, Kilene, Joni, Taylor, Mary, Charlotte, Jennifer, and Shanna work tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of our team members and customers. Whether it's giving a glimpse of what's in their cart to sharing healthy swaps or a better-for-you recipe the whole family will love, this team is here to help! Check out their free online classes: https://lnkd.in/dyahvF6. Team, thanks for all you do each day to create healthier communities!
Please join us in congratulating John-Paul Frattone, our director of asset protection and safety, who received the Rising Star Award at FMI- The Food Industry Association's 2022 Asset Protection & Grocery Resilience Conference in Orlando last week. The award recognizes an up-and-comer who has demonstrated through their words, actions, and behaviors that they are a leader in their company and a positive, insightful, and exemplary representative of the loss prevention industry both now and moving forward. A veteran of the retail grocery industry, J.P. is widely respected for his responsiveness, collaborative spirit, thoughtful leadership style, attention to detail, strong work ethic, and innate ability to garner buy-in to facilitate success on behalf of the company. J.P. first joined The GIANT Company family back in 2011 as a store manager. In that role, J.P. successfully drove sales while helping team members develop their careers as a mentor. In 2017, he became a center store manager and was named to his current position in July 2020.
In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we're again dedicating Meet a Team Member Monday to another one of our fabulous female leaders! Say hello to Leslie Rhoads, Bakery & Deli Sales and Merchandising Specialist. Leslie began her career in 1980 as a cashier and grew through new opportunities, quickly working her way up in the Bakery department. The key to Leslie's success? Her relentless focus on development. "Even though I was a dedicated hard worker, I had no formal education and very few computer skills. Luckily, The GIANT Company gave me a chance. My onboarding was a whirlwind of classes that prepared me for my career path. I am proud to work for a company that recognizes hard work and provides us with tools to be successful no matter your gender." Leslie stressed the importance of Women's History Month and recognizing female leaders' past, present, and future accomplishments. "We work for a great company that promotes women leaders and provides us with the tools we need to succeed. When you look back, it is clear we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were years ago.
It's #WorldWaterDay! Together with our partner, Rodale Institute, we're working to raise awareness about the importance of water and the connection between #sustainable farming practices and healthy waterways. Through its Grow Clean Water campaign, Rodale aims to teach families that clean water, healthy soil, and healthy farms start with us and that there are some easy steps we all can take to heal our planet. Join us by visiting GrowCleanWater.org and pledging to support clean water. Families who sign the pledge will receive a free pledge kit containing an organic herb grow kit, recipes, informational poster & stickers, a reusable organic sandwich bag, a postcard to thank a local farmer, and more. Together, we can #makeadifference. Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy Water = Healthy Planet
Our celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth continues today as we meet team member Ashlee Dillon, MSHRM, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion specialist. Ashlee began her career with The GIANT Company when she was 16 and continued to work through college. She held several management positions, most recently serving as assistant store manager of fresh at the Eldersburg, Md. MARTIN'S, before officially stepping into her current role this year. As the DE&I specialist, representation for women is especially important to Ashlee. "To me, Women's History Month means growth. Growth in how far we, as women, have come, growth in where we are in the present, and continuing to grow well into the future. This month is about our stories. How we can learn from them, find our own purpose and passion for what we do, how we connect with others and ultimately, how we live our daily lives." When asked what advice she would give to other women, Ashlee answered, "Whatever you do in your career, do it with passion and purpose. B
Time to introduce you to another of our favorite women-owned brands, Mason Dixie Foods! Founder and CEO Ayeshah Abuelhiga craved quality comfort food like at her parents' small restaurant and knew fast food shouldn't be the closest option. So she left her big corporate job to open her own restaurant to serve real biscuits and homestyle food. Soon, she was inspired to make those biscuits available at home through frozen dough. Since then, Mason Dixie Foods has been providing homestyle, better-for-you baked goods to people without sacrificing freshness and taste. Beyond the oh-so-delicious bites, we love that they share our commitment to building a culture of inclusion and belonging, where everyone is welcomed just the way they are. Says Abuelhiga, "Diversity and inclusion isn't an initiative; it's a guarantee. No matter who you are or where you're from, you always have a seat at our table." And in honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, here's a fun fact about this woman-owned and operated company: 90% of its leadership team and 80% of its workforce is female!
Congressman John Joyce met one of the best on the road in Ken Yoder (on right). Ken and other GIANT professional drivers have been working around the clock to prepare for the winter storm, keeping stores and eCommerce centers ready for anything. If you want to join our team, Marlin Myers is hiring to support our #growing and #purposedriven company.
In this edition of Meet a Team Member Monday, we're continuing our celebration of #WomensHistoryMonth by highlighting one of our fantastic female leaders. Say hello to Marsha Canton, store manager at our GIANT in Frazer, PA. Marsha started as a part-time cashier in 1988, and growing through new opportunities, she learned all about the grocery business, ultimately being named manager in 2012. Reflecting on Women's History Month, Marsha said, "It's a time to reflect on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Women have fought hard to be heard, believed, and empowered." Marsha enjoys celebrating Women's History Month every March. "Each year, I celebrate by proudly wearing purple on March 8th - International Women's Day - in honor of the women trailblazers of the past, present, and future. I commit to reading a book written by or about a woman during the month. This year's read is Finding My Voice by Valerie Jarrett." Thank you, Marsha, for spreading positivity and being a vibrant leader!
Throughout #WomensHistoryMonth, we'll be introducing you to some of our favorite women-owned brands that are breaking barriers. First up, The Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter Company. After years of being involved in the family business, in 2016, Kimmi (Sonksen) Wernli took ownership of one of America's oldest natural food companies, becoming its first female president and owner. Since then, she's made strides to bring it into the future with rebranding and new product innovation. Crazy Richard's focus is on wholesome ingredients, even if it makes them a little nutty. The plant-based nut butters are all made in the USA, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan with no added salt or sugar, and no palm oil. Like The GIANT Company, Kimmi is committed to making a difference. She believes every action, even the small ones, can make a big impact and help change the world. Since peanut butter is a highly requested item at food banks, she started Healthy Kids Happy Future. The initiative focuses on donating time, talents, and of course, nut butter to those in need.
