Publix Donates $5M to Support Housing Programs in Southeast
Publix Super Markets Charities is donating $5 million to support more than 240 nonprofit housing programs throughout the Southeast, including 126 Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Since 2014, PSMC has donated more than $33 million to housing programs, strengthening our communities and giving hope by building homes and supporting programs such as emergency shelters and transitional housing for individuals in need.
“We’re committed to helping people in our communities build hope by putting roofs over their heads,” said PSMC executive director Kelly Williams-Puccio. “Our founder, George Jenkins, believed that a home gives individuals and families safety, independence and hope. With this donation, we’re honored to continue his legacy by helping people facing housing insecurity.”
“We’re thankful for Publix Super Markets Charities’ continued support of Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the Southeast,” said CEO and executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Broward Nancy Robin. “While many in our communities continue to struggle with access to affordable housing, the generosity of Publix Charities enables us to help provide individuals and families with the resources needed to become homeowners.”
PSMC began supporting housing programs and Habitat for Humanity affiliates more than 30 years ago, with the first contribution going to Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County (Winter Haven, Fla.). To learn more about PSMC’s efforts, please visit publixcharities.org/hope.
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as Mr. George, believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the foundation with the vision it would continue giving long after he was gone. Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates.
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AMCON Acquires Foodservice Distributor Henry’s Foods
AMCON Distributing Company, an Omaha, Neb.-based convenience distributor is pleased to announce the acquisition of foodservice distributor Henry’s Foods, Inc., of Alexandria, Minn.
“We are honored that Brian Eidsvold and the Eidsvold family have chosen AMCON to continue the legacy and stewardship of their family held business that was established by Henry Eidsvold in 1929,” said Christopher H. Atayan, AMCON’s chairman and chief executive officer.”
The Henry’s foodservice distributor business and name will continue in the marketplace and the business will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCON. Kellie Janssen will continue to lead the business in her role as President of Henry’s.
“Henry’s is the preeminent provider of high-quality foodservice to the convenience distribution industry and will add important new offerings and expertise that we can bring to our customer base,” said Andrew C. Plummer, AMCON’s president and chief operating officer. “We also look forward to sharing the customer-centered suite of services that AMCON has developed to add value for Henry’s customers. Kellie Janssen’s unwavering commitment and dedication to customer service is a shared value between AMCON and Henry’s and is ultimately the foundation to build an exciting business for the future.”
“Our organization is excited about this transaction as together we will be able to add increased capabilities for Henry’s customers,” said Kellie Janssen, president of Henry’s. “We now have the enhanced facilities, capacity and geographic reach to serve our customers as they grow. AMCON shares our respect for a positive and collaborative work environment among colleagues which is another key element of our success. This made AMCON the ideal partner for the growth of our business.”
The transaction is expected to close in the company’s second quarter of fiscal 2023, subject to customary closing conditions.
AMCON is a leading convenience distributor of consumer products, including beverages, candy, tobacco, groceries, foodservice, frozen and refrigerated foods, automotive supplies and health and beauty care products with distribution centers in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia (operated by its Team Sledd, LLC subsidiary). AMCON, through its Healthy Edge Retail Group, also operates 19 health and natural product retail stores in the Midwest and Florida.
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Artisinal Cheese Company Sartori Names Bert Satori as CEO
Artisinal cheese company Sartori Cheese names Bert Sartori its new CEO, the company has ushered in the fourth generation of family leadership in its storied 83-year history.
Satori’s father, Jim Sartori, represented the third generation of Sartori family leadership while holding the CEO role for nearly three decades. While Bert Sartori is poised to add a unique creative vision for the artisinal cheese company’s future, he looks to honor and maintain the commitment to the cheesemaking craft that Sartori Cheese has built over the previous three generations.
“Sartori Cheese has always represented a culture of cheesemaking that celebrates creativity, passion, and authenticity,” said Bert Sartori. “I’m proud to lead a company anchored in tradition while pushing the boundaries of our craft so we can share new-to-the-world, award-worthy cheeses with people across the globe.”
Bert Sartori holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, is a licensed cheesemaker and has over 17 years of progressive experience in finance, operations, and business development. Sartori’s longevity and diversity of experience give him invaluable insight into every aspect of the cheesemaking business. His vision for the company’s future is centered around a continued partnership with Wisconsin’s best dairy farms and a steadfast commitment to the craft of cheesemaking.
Sartori Cheese is proud to have four dozen licensed cheesemakers, including one of only two female Master Cheesemakers in Wisconsin. The company’s commitment to cultivating passionate cheesemakers is further highlighted by a best-in-class apprenticeship program that helps candidates hone their skills during the final steps of their training.
“Making great cheese starts with exceptional people – and we’re excited to continue investing in the talented, dedicated members of our team,” said Sartori.
Sartori was founded in 1939 by Bert Sartori’s great-grandfather, Paolo, an Italian immigrant. Bert Sartori ’s grandfather, Joe, preceded his father, Jim, as the leader of the business. The company has grown from its dozen team members at the time of its founding to more than 900 today as it delights cheese lovers in over 50 countries worldwide.
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