SpartanNash Ships Critical Supplies for Ukraine Relief
Michigan-based food solutions company SpartanNash has shipped to Europe the first of several containers of critical supplies as part of its $1 million commitment for Ukraine relief. SpartanNash’s military division coordinated the export, which included baby formula, diapers, over-the-counter medicines, sports energy drinks and personal hygiene items.
“Collecting product donations in the U.S. is one thing, but having the international logistic relationships to get them abroad quickly is another,” said SpartanNash President and CEO Tony Sarsam. “International freight shipping is an extremely delicate and intricate specialty, as so many details go into these journeys, and coordinating these shipments is one of SpartanNash’s global supply chain strengths.”
The overseas and rail journey can take up to 50 days, but SpartanNash was able to expedite this shipment to fewer than 17 days, taking a route to get as close to the conflict as safely possible in Warsaw, Poland. SpartanNash partnered with Convoy of Hope to receive and distribute the necessities in the hands of Ukrainians across eastern Europe.
“This is a humanitarian disaster, and SpartanNash is uniquely positioned to support Ukrainians in addition to the American military heroes who are serving on the front lines of this crisis,” Sarsam said. “As a People First company, we look for opportunities to provide aid to those in need whenever we can.”
SpartanNash’s military division distributes grocery products so military commissaries and exchanges can deliver a familiar shopping experience to servicemen and women with their favorite USA brands, providing a touch of home regardless of where they are stationed. The company distributes products to 160 military commissaries and over 400 exchanges located in 39 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Djibouti, Korea and Japan. SpartanNash distribution centers are strategically located among the largest concentration of military bases in the areas the Company serves and near Atlantic ports.
“In any crisis situation, rapid response is vital, and we are glad to partner with SpartanNash to leverage its expertise in global food logistics,” said Ethan Forhetz, vice president of public engagement for Convoy of Hope. “Getting close to a warzone and responding during a crisis is no simple task. We rely on our disaster response experts and local volunteers to deliver hope to the impacted communities.”
This is just the tip of the spear for SpartanNash, which has dozens of additional donation pallets ready to ship overseas. The Company will continue collecting donations from key vendor partners in the U.S. and working closely with the Convoy of Hope team for on-the-ground distribution in impacted areas throughout Europe.
For more information or to donate to Convoy of Hope, visit convoyofhope.org.
If your company in the specialty foods industry is donating for Ukraine relief, email Gourmet News Senior Editor A.J. Flick at aj_f@oser.com to let us know.