The Fresh Market pledges $300K to support racial equality
"We cannot be complacent or silent," CEO Jason Potter says.
June 22, 2020
![the fresh market the fresh market](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/blt922f138be2293882/64d6a586fc2e72818d740af3/The_Fresh_Market-Columbia_SC.png?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale)
To promote racial equity and social justice in its communities, The Fresh Market is committing $300,000 to organizations dedicated to supporting civil rights.
The Greensboro, North Carolina-based specialty grocer said Friday that the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund will receive a $250,000 donation to aid its efforts in fighting racism and discrimination.
In addition, The Fresh Market has pledged another $50,000 to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Located in the retailer’s hometown city of Greensboro, the Center honors the nonviolent protests of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins that helped propel the civil rights movement.
The Fresh Market said its funding comes after the recent killings of three African-Americans—Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia, in February; Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, in March; and George Floyd in Minneapolis in May—that triggered ongoing demonstrations nationwide calling on local, state and federal government to address racial injustice.
To that end, The Fresh Market plans to conduct “unconscious bias” training for all employees; sharpen its focus on diversity hiring, career progression and mentoring; and enhance the diversity of the company’s supply chain.
The company noted that all employees have a shared responsibility to treat co-workers and customers with dignity, provide a safe and fair working environment, and not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
“We cannot be complacent or silent and must play an active role in our stores and communities to combat racial injustice,” Potter added.
Overall, The Fresh Market operates 159 stores in 22 states across the country.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like