This press release was published August 23, 2016 on spartannash.com.
SpartanNash recently presented $1,000 and $500 grants to Boys Town and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. The donations were part of the Perfect Picnic Challenge, which coincided with the grand re-opening celebrations of eight newly renovated and rebranded Family Fare Supermarkets.
For the Perfect Picnic Challenge, SpartanNash teamed up with local nonprofit organizations as well as Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for the Culinary Arts to highlight the fresh, local ingredients and cost savings available at the new and improved Family Fare locations.
MCC student chefs Angela Nichols and Aaron Fox joined SpartanNash representatives at the Family Fare Supermarket located at 14444 W. Center Road to present the donations to Boys Town and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha.
“Throughout the entire renovation and grand re-opening process, we wanted to keep our focus local, where relationships matter,” said Rich Myers, SpartanNash regional operations director. “The Perfect Picnic Contest was a celebration – of our new Family Fare stores, our store guests, the talented students at MCC and of the good work being done by our partners in the Omaha community. Boys Town and Habitat for Humanity are both making a lasting impact, and together with Aaron and Angela, we are proud to support those efforts through these grants.”
Eight MCC students were challenged to develop a menu for their “perfect picnic” – including a sandwich, salad and beverage – sticking to a budget of $20 to feed a family of four. Store guests could then visit ShopFamilyFare.com to vote on their favorite food-and-drink combinations between July 20 and 27.
Each student was paired with a local nonprofit organization, giving them a chance to have $1,000 and $500 donations made to the partner charities in their name.
More than 550 votes were cast, with Nichols’ Cajun BBQ picnic chicken, creole mustard vinaigrette smashed potato salad and iced café au lait taking first place.
Boys Town – which was founded in 1917 to give at-risk children the family, support and care they need to overcome their circumstances and realize their potential – received a $1,000 grant from SpartanNash and Nichols as a result.
“We are thrilled to have been chosen to be part of SpartanNash’s Perfect Picnic Contest. Congratulations to Angela for winning this contest,” said Father Steven Boes, Boys Town National Executive Director. “Spartan Nash has been such a great partner to Boys Town, and we look forward to being able to use this money for our nutrition program at Boys Town High School.”
Fox’s buttermilk fried chicken with honey mustard sauce, herbed potato salad and peach mango sweet tea claimed second place. His $500 donation from SpartanNash went to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, which builds simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with local families.
“Habitat Omaha is pleased to partner with SpartanNash as we both work to make our community stronger and help local families thrive,” said Kathy Roum, Habitat Omaha’s senior director of development and marketing. “We are thankful to Aaron for sharing his talents and wish him much success in his culinary aspirations.”
Fox was also the winner of the paneled vote competition held at MCC on July 19. The 17-year-old high school student and aspiring baker was awarded $500 for his picnic-themed creations.
SpartanNash owns and operates 14 Family Fare locations in Omaha as well as three Supermercado Nuestra Familia stores. Since Spartan Stores merged with the Nash Finch Company in November of 2013, the newly formed SpartanNash has invested more than $30 million into its retail grocery operations in the greater Omaha market.
SpartanNash also operates a large distribution center in Omaha.
