REIDSVILLE, GA - It’s not for nothing that Shuman Farms took this year’s Besties title for Best Philanthropic Initiative. As the giving season envelopes us, the company and its philanthropic arm, Healthy Family Project (HFP), are zeroing in on the needs of the community with a multifaceted strategy that includes not only its internal members, but alliances through the buy-side.
“We are extremely thankful to our retail partners who have embraced this initiative with us,” John Shuman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Shuman Farms, reflected. “In addition to raising funds through our programs and campaigns, our team has spent the year volunteering in local food banks across the country with our retail partners so that we can give back to their communities. It’s been a humbling and rewarding experience spending time together with our colleagues and friends in the industry in this way.”
Most recently, on November 10, Shuman Farms joined Harps Foods for its second annual “Buy a Bag, Give a Bag” one-day sale of RealSweet onions.
“Harps promoted in circular, in stores, and on social media. It was a great success, and we’ll be donating almost 80 cases of sweet onions to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank just in time for the distribution of their holiday boxes to those in need in their community,” John shared with me. “Mike Roberts and the entire Harps produce team do such a wonderful job supporting their community throughout the year, and we are honored to be able to partner with them.”
Now, with Giving Tuesday on the horizon on November 28, the team will be collaborating with another retail partner, Lowes Food, for an Instagram Live event centered around the Healthy Family Project’s Season of Sharing campaign.
“The campaign is currently happening in all Lowes Food locations. We will be spotlighting the essence of giving back and inspiring families to engage in acts of kindness, drawing five winners and donating $100 to a charity of their choice during the event. Throughout the day on all of HFP’s social channels, we’ll be sharing content surrounding meaningful ways families can give back without spending money. We’re looking forward to partnering with the Lowes Food team on this initiative,” John said.
Social media has become a convenient yet impactful way for the Healthy Family Project and Shuman Farms teams have been able to sustain their giving pillars. It is also, John shared, a great way for retailers to create merchandising themes and opportunities for both their community and financial ambitions.
“Leaning into trending themes on social media is something we and our partners have found hugely beneficial,” John said, sharing a list of Thanksgiving-specific tips, including:
- Ways to give back as a family
- Ways to express thankfulness as a family
- Thanksgiving tablescapes and how to bring people together and share a meal
- Skip the turkey—it’s all about Thanksgiving sides
- What to do with Thanksgiving leftovers—minimizing food waste
- Thanksgiving charcuterie boards
Shuman Farms and Healthy Family Project work throughout the year to bring nutritious food to those in need. To date, the teams have raised more than $7.6 million cumulatively and provided over 21.6 million meals. While in-store Produce for Kids campaigns raise the most amount of funds, donations have also risen with direct-to-consumer digital campaigns and the company’s special Shuman Farms Feeding America bag promotions in June, November, and December.
While it may seem like the year is about wrapped, for these committed groups there is still plenty of road left to run, and mouths to feed, before 2023 is done!
