QuickChek Honored as Foodservice Innovator of the Year; Donation Equals 152,900 Servings
HILLSIDE, NJ (Dec. 14) — Tyson Foods, Inc., QuickChek and Convenience Store News partnered today to donate a truckload of protein to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to help alleviate hunger throughout New Jersey.
The donation — 30,580 pounds of food equivalent to 152,900 servings delivered in a 52-foot-long tractor trailer — was made in conjunction with QuickChek being named Convenience Store News’ 2016 Foodservice Innovator of the Year. The Whitehouse Station, NJ-based fresh convenience market chain was recognized for raising the bar on quality, service and innovation in the fast-growing foodservice category in the convenience channel.
“QuickChek is really a class act and they richly deserve accolades for continuously improving their foodservice offer,” said CSNews Editorial Director Don Longo. “Whether it’s prepared foods with its innovation around the hot snack day part; beverages with its broad assortment of cold, frozen and hot drinks; or technology with its new mobile ordering service, QuickChek leads the way.”
“We are honored to be recognized as the industry’s Foodservice Innovator of the Year and thank Tyson and Convenience Store News in making this wonderful donation,” said QuickChek CEO Dean Durling, whose family-owned company was also named 2016 National Convenience Store Chain of the Year earlier in the year.
“Being an innovator means not only creating exciting new menu items and having freshly made in-store bakery items, but also embracing technology to continue to meet the needs of our customers. You can use an in-store touch screen or your smart phone to create a custom sandwich or drink, which we will handcraft to your order. We have self-checkout counters and continue to expand our mobile ordering to provide even greater convenience for our on-the-go customers.”
“Everything we do is to satisfy our customers,” added Durling, whose company actively gives back to its communities including supporting food banks in New Jersey and New York. “Our business has evolved as our customers’ needs have evolved, which further demonstrates our commitment to ‘Total Customer Dedication.’ They have told us that quality tasty food, delivered quickly and efficiently by friendly team members, is of the utmost importance. We feel so strongly about our ability to deliver what our customers want that we stand behind a handcrafted quality guarantee for all of our fresh food and beverages.”
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, which serves people in need across the state, will distribute the donated food among its network of more than 1,000 community partners including soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters.
“The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is grateful for partners like Tyson Foods for helping us provide healthy food for our neighbors in need. This donation of much-needed protein will go a long way in feeding families this holiday season,” said Karen Leies, vice president of development for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “We also want to recognize QuickChek’s ongoing commitment in the fight against hunger. They partner with us on our Check-Out Hunger® campaign, volunteer with us and much more. Together, we can end hunger in New Jersey.”
QuickChek raised $160,000 during the FoodBank’s Check-Out Hunger® campaign in 2015 and $125,000 in 2014. It is currently participating in the 2016 campaign as well. More than 30 volunteers comprised of senior management, support center staff and store team members will be sorting donations in the FoodBank on Thursday, Dec. 15, as part of their ongoing partnership throughout the year.
Tyson Foods’ “KNOW Hunger” campaign is focused on helping more people understand and join the effort to eliminate hunger in America. The company partners with Feeding America®, Share Our Strength and Lift Up America to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation. Since 2000, Tyson Foods has donated more than 100 million pounds of protein in the United States.
In 2015, Tyson Foods announced its renewed commitment to hunger relief by pledging $50 million in cash and in-kind donations by 2020 to fight hunger, with a special focus on innovative initiatives at the local level.
“Partnering with organizations like the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is important to us in raising awareness about food insecurity in communities all around the U.S.,” said Kevin Miller, senior marketing manager for Tyson Convenience. “Nearly one in five kids in New Jersey is food insecure and the FoodBank distributed more than 43 million pounds of food last year alone. We’re honored to support those extraordinary efforts.”
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PHOTO CAPTION:
In honoring QuickChek, the Whitehouse Station, NJ-based fresh convenience market chain, as Convenience Store News’ 2016 Foodservice Innovator of the Year, Tyson Convenience Foods donated a 52-foot-long truckload of protein to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to help alleviate hunger in the Garden State. The donated food, enough for 152,900 servings, will be distributed among the FoodBank’s network of partners that provide daily meals and food pantry services to feed area residents in need ahead of the upcoming holidays. QuickChek was named 2016 National FoodService Innovator of the Year for raising the bar on quality, service and innovation in the fast-growing foodservice category in the convenience channel.
Pictured (L-R) Community FoodBank of New Jersey Vice President of Development Karen Leies, QuickChek Vice President of Sales & Marketing John Schaninger, Tyson Convenience Director of Sales Denny Woodard, QuickChek CEO Dean Durling, Convenience Store News Editor Don Longo, Tyson Convenience North Division Manager Elaine Otte, and QuickChek Director of Food Service Jennifer Vespole, inside the truck.
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