2019 BAB Retailer Luncheon Press Release

Posted on February 7, 2019 at 3:12 pm by CMalabamagrocers / Home Slider

2019 BUY ALABAMA’S BEST RETAIL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AWARDS
2018 DISPLAY CONTEST WINNERS & PRESENTS CHECK
TO CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA FOR $51,639

The 2019 Buy Alabama’s Best Retail Campaign Launch Awards luncheon was recently held at The Club. The group is made up of the Alabama Grocers Association, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association.

Presentations were made by Commissioner Rick Pate, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries; Mrs. Ellie Taylor, President, Alabama Grocers Association; Mr. Frank D’Amico, III of BTC Wholesale Distributors and Chairman, Alabama Grocers Association; Mr. Johnny Collins of Dean Foods and President, Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association; and Dr. Frederick Goldman, MD, Director, Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Children’s of Alabama. Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association members as well as retailers and wholesalers throughout the state of Alabama were also in attendance.

Commissioner Rick Pate, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries; Mr. Johnny Collins, President, Alabama Food Manufactures and Producers Association; and Mr. Frank D’Amico, III, Chairman, Alabama Grocers Association, presented Display Contest Award Certificates for 2018.

These displays featured participating Alabama food products to help consumers identify which products are headquartered, produced or manufactured in the state of Alabama. First Place awards were given to Gardendale Foodland.

During the months of March and September, a portion of the sales of participating Alabama food product companies along with retail sales of icons were raised for the UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Children’s of Alabama.

A check was presented to Dr. Frederick Goldman in the amount of $51,639 for 2018. Since 2006, the Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign has raised $777,672 to fight pediatric cancer.

“This generous donation from local Alabama businesses associated with the Alabama Grocers Association will help us meet our mission of working to cure every child with cancer,” said Goldman. “Children’s of Alabama is working to find a cure each and every day.”

Following the presentation, a buffet featuring all Alabama food products was enjoyed by those in attendance.

“From early on, Milo’s Tea has been proud to be a part of the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association,” said Mike Hanson, Director Key Accounts of Milo’s Tea. “The organization emphasizes the importance of teamwork between manufacturers and retailers in the state of Alabama, and Milo’s Tea is proud to stand alongside the organization as they give back to the community through the Buy Alabama’s Best campaign.”

Milo’s Tea Company is a family-owned, certified Woman-Owned Business located in Bessemer, AL. Milo’s was founded as a restaurant in 1946 by Milo and Bea Carlton after Milo returned from serving our country in World War II. Milo’s philosophy was simple – use high quality, fresh, natural ingredients, listen to your customers and never sacrifice taste. In 1989, Milo’s began selling their fresh brewed Famous Sweet Tea to local Birmingham grocery stores and now Milo’s beverages can be found in thousands of retailers across the United States. Milo and Bea’s vision still guides the company today as Milo’s continues to source natural ingredients, fresh brew all of their teas and never use colors, added acids or preservatives. Milo’s Famous Sweet Tea is now the #1 Selling Refrigerated Tea in the US and Milo’s products can be found in more than 13,000 retail locations across 45 states.

The purpose of the Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign is to identify and increase awareness of Alabama food products and increase sales of those products. Alabama food product sales have a $2 billion impact in Alabama’s economy, tax base and along with the food service industries, employ one out of every four Alabamians.

For further information contact Ellie Taylor at etaylor@alabamagrocers.org or visit www.buyalabamasbest.com.

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