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award’s validity resonated as the corpo- rate team shared the company’s story and vision — revealing the latest sustain- ability developments.
SUSTAINABLE TO THE PRODUCE CORE
Weis is closing the loop on sustain- ability from field to fork; from family farms to family tables; from unsaleable food to food banks; to 360-degree composting and recycling programs; as well as impactful energy reduction initiatives. All the while bringing its employees, suppliers, customers and the industry along for the ride.
Innovative sustainable initiatives start at the heart of the produce department — ranging from a resourceful way to recycle troublesome waxed cardboard produce boxes [see “Recycling Wax Cardboard” on page 40] to pioneering closed-door refrigerated cases for bagged salads, explains Dan Koch, vice president of fresh. Piggybacking off the chain’s unique commitment to enclosed refrigerated cases for dairy products and meat, the choice is proving a solid return on investment — not only to save energy, but also to prolong product
(L-R) Kevin Small, Patti Olenick and John Lerch at the “Urban Fresh” store.
quality and shelf life — while main- development.
RETAIL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS - WEIS MARKETS
taining sales numbers of open refrigerated cases, according to Kevin Small, vice president of construction and
The store development department is the central catalyst for all things sustain- able within the corporate structure.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
ehind the scenes without bravado, BWeis Markets has been turning the pages on sustainability since its
founding in 1912.
Initially, the Weis brothers, Sigmund and
Harry, worked in their father’s general store. Eventually, they opened their first Weis Pure Foods corner grocery store, embracing local farmers, piloting promising technologies, and inventing solutions to long-standing industry problems, explains Dan Koch, vice president of fresh.
Continuing the generational legacy, Robert Weis recently stepped down as chairman after 69 years at the company to serve as an adviser, as his son Jonathan Weis, president and chief executive, is taking the reins.
(L-R) Weis associate; Patti Olenick, sustainability manager; Kurt Schertle, COO; Ken Whitacre, Publisher of PRODUCE BUSINESS; Weis floral associate; David Gose, senor vice president of
“Yes, we have been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1965, but the Weis Family lives by a philosophy of being self-reliant and independent,” as well as diehard stewards of the environment, says
The company owns and operates its own dairy, ice cream, and meat processing plants, as well as in-house, fresh-cut produce program.
The East Coast chain’s radius spans five states; primarily Pennsylvania, with a good presence in Maryland, as well as New York, New Jersey, and a couple of stores in West Virginia. pb
TAKING OWNERSHIP
28 / MAY 2015 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
operations; and Weis associate.
Dennis Curtin, director of communications, and 20-year veteran at Weis.
million-square-foot distribution center near our store support center, which is about 12 miles away in Milton, PA,” says Joe Kleman, vice president distribution.
“While a lot of supermarket companies contract with a third party to supply their stores, we do it ourselves through a 1.1