Fresh Thyme Market says it has donated over $250,000 this year — or the equivalent of more than 2.6 million meals — to Feeding America and other local food banks. With donations distributed to local food banks throughout the Midwest, the grocer said the contributions reflect its ongoing commitment to the community, addressing food insecurity in the surrounding areas it serves.
"Since day one, Fresh Thyme has proudly invested time and money as a means to foster healthier families and reduce hunger in our local communities across the Midwest," Liz Zolcak, president for Fresh Thyme Market, said in a news release. "By working together with our Fresh Thyme team and customers to collect donations through our Feeding America partnership throughout the years, we've been able to donate more than $1 million, or 100 million meals, to those in need and ensure they have access to nutritious grocery items for themselves and their families."
Fresh Thyme achieved this — and remains committed to this initiative — through the following ways, the company said:
- The Round Up at the Register program allows customers to donate while they shop by rounding up their purchase totals.
- The Grab and Give initiative gives consumers the option to purchase prebagged groceries at checkout, with these bags going directly to local food banks.
- The Food Rescue program, which alone has contributed over 800,000 meals — equivalent to more than 132,000 pounds of donated products from its stores.
- Open house events are held in Fresh Thyme stores throughout the year to celebrate and engage with the local community through product demos and cooking classes. For example, as part of Fresh Thyme's 10th birthday this year, the company invited shoppers in for a day of special festivities, product tastings and donated $5,000 to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.
- Volunteer efforts by Fresh Thyme team members throughout the year focus on building meaningful connections within the community by spending time and lending a hand to local organizations like Northern Illinois Food Bank, St. Louis Food Bank, West Suburban Community Pantry and Northside Food Pantry of Indiana to help create, package or deliver crucial resources to those in need.
Fresh Thyme Market said September marks Hunger Action Month, an annual monthlong call to action to raise awareness and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger with support from the brand's new partnership with the FMI Foundation, the creators of Family Meals Month.
“Community is at the core of everything Fresh Thyme does, so Family Meals Month is especially meaningful because it highlights and celebrates the importance of shared meals,” the company said in the release. “By promoting nutritious, quality options, through weekly cooking classes to quick breakfast options and simple dinner recipes, Fresh Thyme helps families gather around the table, fostering stronger connections and healthier communities. Fresh Thyme stands by this mission and plays a crucial role in making these meals easier and more accessible.”