CARLISLE, PA - GIANT Food Stores has just announced the debut of PA Preferred® shelf tags, which will make it more convenient for customers to find products that have been grown or produced in Pennsylvania. This will be at all of its 156 stores located within the Commonwealth. 

“GIANT is grateful for its deep connection to Pennsylvania’s farmers, growers, and suppliers, and for more than 95 years, we have been committed to sourcing locally-grown and produced products,” said Matt Simon, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Our new PA Preferred shelf tags educate our customers and simplify their shopping experience, all while highlighting our unyielding passion for an industry that is, quite literally, the backbone of our business. We couldn’t be more excited to showcase these fantastic products in such a unique way.”

According to a press release, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Simon at a press conference at the GIANT in Camp Hill to introduce the new tag program. GIANT has been a strong supporter of the innovative program since its inception in 2004, which helps the state’s farmers and food suppliers grow their businesses.

“While GIANT has served as a community cornerstone for decades, they’ve done a remarkable job of keeping their finger on the pulse of consumer trends, as evidenced by this new program,” said Redding. “It’s a win-win for consumers and the agriculture industry alike and will help shoppers better connect their food to the farm, helping to strengthen the relationship Pennsylvanians have with local producers.”

With 59,000 farm families serving as stewards of more than 7.7 million acres of farmland, Pennsylvania farmers and agribusinesses are the leading economic driver in the Commonwealth. The industry also raises revenue and supplies jobs through support services such as food processing, marketing, transportation, and farm equipment with $7.5 billion in cash receipts annually from production agriculture. Production agriculture and agribusiness contributes $135.7 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy in total. 

As GIANT gets ready to celebrate the arrival of the local produce season in its stores and new tag program is set to move forward. GIANT will recognize the local farmers it does business with through a multi-faceted marketing campaign that includes in-store signage and displays, social and digital media, TV and radio advertising, billboards and the company’s very own in-store Savory magazine.

The campaign highlights the stories behind the farms and people responsible for bringing the products to nearly 180 GIANT and MARTIN’S Food Markets in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, from farm names to state identifier stickers and bright imagery showcasing the season’s harvest.

In addition to the introduction of the new tag program, GIANT Food Stores will also be opening its newest Quarryville store after entering into an agreement to acquire the location from Ferguson & Hassler last month. About 170 full and part-time associate from Ferguson & Hassler will be employed at the new location. 

For more news on GIANT’s new tag program, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.

GIANT Food Stores