Press Releases
2010 BUY ALABAMA’S BEST RETAIL CAMPAIGN & 2009 DISPLAY CONTEST PRESENTATION
BIRMINGHAM— (Jan. 22, 2010) On Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, an informative retailer luncheon was held to announce the beginning of the Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign for 2010 and to award the winners of the 2009 Display Contest. The Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign is made up of the Alabama Grocers Association, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association. This year in the months of March and September, retailers will highlight Alabama products through displays and ads in their stores. Proceeds from the sale of Alabama products during these months as well as icons purchased by consumers in participating grocery stores will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Alabama.
The UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Childrens Hospital is the state’s only comprehensive pediatric center, treating over 95 percent of all patients in Alabama diagnosed with pediatric cancer and other blood disorders patients diagnosed. In 2009, the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology provided care to over 300 cancer patients actively being treated and over 150 newly diagnosed children with cancer. Dr. Raymond Watts of Childrens Hospital spoke on pediatric cancer research during the luncheon and thanked the members of the Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign for their partnership.
Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, Alabama Grocers President Ellie Taylor and Alabama Food Manufacturers President Johnny Collins presented the 2009 Display award winners. These winners were commended for their dedication and hard work for the Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign for 2009. The following winners were announced:
• 1st Place Dry Category—Gateway Foods, Double Springs, AL
• 2nd Place Dry Category—Sav-Mor Food Outlet, Calera, AL
• 3rd Place Dry Category—Publix Super Markets #841, Pelham, AL
• 1st Place Wet Category—Gateway Foods, Double Springs, AL
• 2nd Place Wet Category—Publix Super Markets #1202, Pelham, AL
• 3rd Place Wet Category—Super Foods, Greenville, AL
Luncheon speakers included Jay Mitchell, Chairman, Alabama Grocers Association; Ron Sparks, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries; Ellie Taylor, President, Alabama Grocers Association; Johnny Collins, President, Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association; John D. Fox, Jr., Sales Committee Chair, Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association; and Dr. Raymond Watts, Children’s Hospital of Alabama.
Following the presentation, a buffet was served that featured all Alabama products donated by the members of the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association. Pictures of the luncheon and display winners can be found at www.alabamagrocers.org and www.buyalabamasbest.com.
For further information contact Ellie Taylor, President, Alabama Grocers Association at (205) 823-5498, etaylor@alabamagrocers.org