The Fresh Market, Inc., a specialty grocer known for its carefully curated products and neighborhood-focused shopping experience, has announced the continuation of its partnership with Feeding America® to support the fight against hunger during Hunger Action Month® this September. With hunger affecting millions of households across the United States, this initiative underscores both organizations’ shared commitment to addressing food insecurity in communities large and small.
Hunger in America: A Growing Challenge
According to Feeding America, more than 47 million people in the United States face food insecurity, which means they do not consistently have access to enough food to live active, healthy lives. Among them are nearly one in five children, a sobering statistic that highlights the urgent need for action. For families struggling to pay for rising grocery bills, rent, utilities, and health care costs, putting food on the table has become an increasingly difficult task.
Food insecurity does not only affect households experiencing poverty; it also impacts working families who, despite steady employment, cannot keep pace with the rising cost of living. In recent years, inflation and supply chain disruptions have placed additional strain on food budgets, making initiatives like The Fresh Market’s partnership with Feeding America all the more essential.
How The Fresh Market Is Helping
Throughout September, The Fresh Market’s 171 store locations nationwide will participate in a fundraising campaign to benefit Feeding America’s national network of food banks. Guests visiting The Fresh Market will have the opportunity to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at the register or donate an amount of their choosing.
What makes this effort particularly impactful is how each dollar is stretched to fight hunger. For every $1 donated, Feeding America helps secure and distribute at least ten meals to individuals and families in need. In addition, 90% of all funds raised at each store remain local, supporting the Feeding America partner food bank closest to that store’s community. The remaining 10% supports Feeding America’s national operations, which provide resources, advocacy, and infrastructure to strengthen food banks across the country.
By combining local impact with national reach, The Fresh Market ensures that donations benefit both immediate needs and long-term strategies for ending hunger.
Building on Past Success
This partnership is not new. In fact, The Fresh Market has a history of supporting Feeding America and its member food banks. In 2023 alone, the initiative raised over $160,407, thanks to the generosity of customers and the dedication of store associates. This year, the company is setting its sights higher, with the goal of surpassing last year’s total and providing even more meals to individuals and families struggling with hunger.
Emily Turner, Chief Marketing Officer of The Fresh Market, emphasized the importance of the partnership and the role that customers play in its success.
“We’re proud to once again join forces with Feeding America on this important initiative,” Turner said. “Through this partnership, our guests have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference simply by rounding up their purchases. Together, we’re helping to ensure that more individuals and families have reliable access to nutritious food.”
Turner’s remarks highlight how something as simple as donating a few cents or dollars during checkout can translate into powerful change when multiplied by thousands of shoppers across the country.
Hunger Action Month: A Nationwide Call to Action
Hunger Action Month, organized annually by Feeding America every September, serves as a nationwide rallying point to raise awareness about hunger and inspire collective action. The campaign calls on individuals, businesses, community leaders, and policymakers to take tangible steps to address hunger and support those who are struggling.
The theme is rooted in the belief that hunger is a problem that can be solved when communities work together. At a time when millions of Americans are forced to make impossible choices between food and other necessities, initiatives like The Fresh Market’s fundraiser not only provide immediate relief but also spotlight the importance of systemic solutions.
Lauren Biedron, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America, expressed gratitude for The Fresh Market’s ongoing collaboration.
“It takes many hands to make sure every person facing hunger gets the food they need,” Biedron said. “Our vision for an end to hunger requires partnership with like-minded organizations like The Fresh Market. We are grateful for their work in continuing to ensure people have access to the food they need to thrive, especially at a time of urgent need.”
Beyond Fundraising: Ongoing Community Commitment
While September’s fundraising campaign is a centerpiece of The Fresh Market’s work with Feeding America, the company’s commitment extends year-round. In addition to raising funds, The Fresh Market regularly donates unsold but perfectly good food from its stores to local Feeding America partner food banks. These donations provide fresh, wholesome groceries that help fill the gap for families who might otherwise go without.
Food donations are a critical part of the fight against hunger because they reduce waste while ensuring that nutritious items such as fresh produce, meats, and dairy products are distributed to people who need them most. This ongoing practice reflects The Fresh Market’s broader mission to act as a community partner, not just a retailer.
Making a Lasting Difference
For shoppers at The Fresh Market, participating in the campaign is simple yet impactful. A few spare coins or a single dollar at checkout may not feel like much individually, but collectively, these contributions have the power to transform lives. The funds raised translate into millions of meals across communities nationwide, offering hope, dignity, and nourishment to families facing hardship.
The initiative also reinforces the idea that solving hunger requires both short-term relief and long-term solutions. By supporting Feeding America’s dual mission—meeting immediate needs while working toward sustainable change—The Fresh Market is helping create a future where fewer families must struggle with the question of where their next meal will come from.
A Call to Action
The Fresh Market and Feeding America invite customers and communities to participate in this year’s Hunger Action Month campaign. Whether by rounding up purchases, donating larger sums, volunteering at a local food bank, or spreading awareness, every action matters.
As Turner noted, collective efforts add up: “Together, we’re helping to ensure that more individuals and families have reliable access to nutritious food.”
Hunger is a challenge that no one organization or community can solve alone. But through partnerships like this one, progress is possible. With continued support, The Fresh Market and Feeding America aim to not only provide meals today but also build a future where every household in America has consistent access to the food they need to thrive.
