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Retailers Celebrate Black History Month

Southeastern Grocers and FreshDirect have revealed plans to celebrate Black History Month by giving back to communities fighting for racial equality and amplifying products from Black-owned brands.

Online retailer FreshDirect is spotlighting its vendor partners with a dedicated Black History Month tab on its website.

“At FreshDirect, we recognize and honor the significant contributions of the Black community to the vibrant New York food scene all year long. Black History Month serves as a special moment to amplify these contributions, share stories, and celebrate the diversity that enriches our culinary landscape,” said FreshDirect in a statement.

Some of the food and beverage brands the retailer is showcasing include:

• Partake: These vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and top 8 allergen-free treats are the result of founder Denise Woodard's quest to make healthy, high-quality, and delicious allergy-friendly snacks for her daughter.

• A Dozen Cousins: Ready-to-heat beans from A Dozen Cousins are made following recipes from founder Ibraheem Basir.

• Spoonful: Nurtured by FreshDirect’s R.I.P.E. incubator program for emerging brands, Spoonful stems from founder Bradley Gifford's transformative health journey.

• Don Carvahal Café: This brand is committed to bringing its customers the finest direct trade, eco-friendly coffees in sustainable packaging.

• McBride Sisters Wine Company: Founded in 2005 by sisters Robin and Andréa, the company is the largest women-owned winery in the U.S.

SEG, parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie, along with the SEG Gives Foundation, is honoring Black History Month with the launch of its annual grant program.

The grocer is accepting applications from nonprofits throughout the Southeast for its 2024 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion, and Diversity Grant. The grant, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, supports organizations that work to address racial disparities in health care, food insecurity, and education while building a more inclusive and equitable future for all, said SEG.

“Black History Month is a time to honor the rich contributions made by Black visionaries, innovators, and leaders–like Ms. Romay–and we are proud to continue to nurture the diverse communities we serve every day,” said Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, in a statement. “Our vital grant program and partnerships with organizations like the American Red Cross and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation are an extension of that recognition and allow us to further contribute to positive change in marginalized communities.”

Related: Illinois Supports Local Retailers With $3.5M; Report Reveals Nuanced Packaging Insights

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