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As part of Hy-Vee’s ongoing commitment to advancing small businesses, we welcomed 150 entrepreneurs at the seventh Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit in Sioux Falls. Attendees had a full day of networking, breakout sessions, mentoring, and a resource expo. The highlight of the day was the pitch competition which included celebrity judge, Chef Paul Wahlberg, co-owner of Wahlburgers and Alma Nove. Hy-Vee awarded a total of $50,000 to six businesses with Soul Grain LLC winning the grand prize of $30,000. Thank you to all our competitors, attendees, expo partners and speakers!

We are excited to share that FIVE Hy-Vee women leaders have been named to Progressive Grocer's 2024 class of Top Women in Grocery! These leaders have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the grocery industry and embody Hy-Vee’s mission of making lives easier, healthier and happier for our customers every day. Please help us congratulate this year’s recipients: • Anna Stoermer, executive vice president, chief retail officer • Aimee O’Leary, vice president, store design • Liz Arickx, vice president, chief of staff • Karla Quandt, district store director, Shawnee Hy-Vee • Elise Scheil, district store director, Coralville Crosspark Road Hy-Vee Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gJEgeRFg

Juneteenth represents a significant point in our country’s history which we celebrate and honor. Hy-Vee is committed to embracing and supporting the diversity that makes up our Helpful Smiles today and every day.

Hy-Vee values the partnerships our stores have with local food pantries across our nine-state region. This week, Aron Brencht, food donor relationship manager of the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) and DJ Vega, store manager at our Edgewood Hy-Vee, visited KCRG-TV9’s Everyday Iowa to discuss the vital importance of food rescue. Our Cedar Rapids-area Hy-Vee stores contribute on average more than 10,000 pounds of food rescue donations weekly to HACAP and their partner food pantries. In the past month, Hy-Vee's food rescue donations have provided 83,000 meals to individuals and families in the Cedar Rapids area struggling with food insecurity.

Excited to announce our 15 finalists for the pitch competition taking place at the Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit in Sioux Falls, SD on June 18! One winner will receive a grand prize of $30,000 and a total of $50,000 in prizes will be awarded at the summit. Click the link to read more about each finalist. https://lnkd.in/g9JfdjxV.

Mike Rollins is a master of produce. As produce manager of the Madison Avenue Hy-Vee in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mike’s passion is blending fresh flavors with one-of-a-kind displays. This year, Mike was selected from produce managers across the nation to receive one of the industry’s highest honors — the International Fresh Produce Association’s Retail Produce Manager Award. Please help us give a special congratulations to Mike on this outstanding honor!

Last week, Hy-Vee and KCCI-TV worked together to fight food insecurity in Central Iowa. “Pack the Pantry” was a collaborative initiative to stock local food pantries across the region to prepare for the start of summer when pantries see a rise in need. Throughout the week, Hy-Vee employees and volunteers from local pantries joined customers to drop-off food at area stores, which were donated to a nearby pantry. Additionally, customers rounded up their purchases at the register as part of our continuing 100 Million Meals Challenge. In all, Hy-Vee and KCCI raised more than 347,000 meals benefitting Central Iowa families in need.

Congratulations to Megan Santella, Hy-Vee’s director of retail media operations, on being named a recipient of Path to Purchase Institute’s Retail Media Award. Over the past year, Megan has played a key role in helping develop RedMedia, Hy-Vee's new retail media network. Please help us congratulate Megan on this well-deserved honor! https://lnkd.in/gGdgvmRh

Hy-Vee concludes our Mental Health Awareness video series discussing the importance of understanding your medications and how talking to your pharmacist will give you the support needed through your good mental health journey. Starting a new medication for a mental health condition can be daunting, and it's not uncommon to feel anxious or fearful. Dr. Fick joins Hy-Vee Pharmacist Kerianne Roder for a candid conversation about mental health medications and helping reduce our customers' fear. Roder and Dr. Fick will discuss the importance of patients understanding that it may take some time for the medication to take effect and steps to take if they feel their medication isn't working. Learn how Hy-Vee’s pharmacy team can help you succeed in your mental health journey. https://lnkd.in/gzAPgvZf.