Roundy's Stores Raise $4,000 for Agriculture StudentsSupports Growing America's Farmers for Next Generation

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc.(Roundy's), partnered with produce supplier G&R Farms of Glennville, GA in May and June to raise $4,000 for scholarship and grant funds for FFA students in Wisconsin through the Growing America's Farmer's (GAF) promotional program.

The Growing America's Farmers program was the brainchild of third-generation family famer, Walt Dasher, a Vidalia onion grower from Georgia. In the program, a portion of the sales of designated products are donated to the National FFA Foundation who designates those funds to local FFA programs of the retailer's choice to support students pursuing careers in production agriculture.

During the past five years the GAF program has already raised more than $230,000 for FFA member scholarships throughout the United States. Roundy's is in its fifth year of supporting the program through their Pick 'n Save and Metro Market stores in Wisconsin and Mariano's stores in Illinois. The program has helped raise funds totaling nearly $13,000 dollars for students in Wisconsin.

"Roundy's is a proud supporter of the Growing America's Farmer program. The scholarship opportunities the program creates benefits the Future Farmers of America, our country's best hope to keep family farming a reality. American agriculture is vital in today's world as it not only feeds the world but helps maintain the quality of land that both nourishes us and also helps protect our natural resources. We congratulate the scholarship winners and remain committed to supporting local Wisconsin farms and the farm families who are the backbone of our fresh & friendly offerings," said James J. Hyland, VP Communications & Public Affairs for Roundy's.

Now more than ever, production agriculture is at a crossroads that requires all areas of the supply chain to be engaged and support future agriculture leaders who will grow the food needed to support a growing population: it is estimated that the U.S. will need 70% more food by 2050.

In addition to understanding that need, Dasher is also passionate about the next generation of farmers. "The current American farmer's average age is 58 years old and they are part of multi-generation family farms that are facing more and more pressure." He continued, "We need to attract, support and train young agriculture leaders who will become the torchbearers and next generation of producers. The FFA is truly one of our greatest resources and partners in doing this well."

Across the country, FFA is attracting and training those leaders. In fact, FFA membership is at a record high with 760,000+ members in 8,739 chapters across all 50 states, including chapters in 24 of the 25 largest U.S. cities and setting records in member diversity. In Wisconsin FFA has over 20,000 FFA members participating in agriculture, food, and natural resources programming.

Dasher, closed by saying, "As a third-generation family farm, this is about more than marketing and promotions, this is a personal mission that hits at the heart of who I am and what I stand for."

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About G&R Farms
As a third-generation family farm, G&R Farms began in Southeast Georgia with a small farm in 1945. Today, the organization has grown to over 5,000 acres encompassing several crops with a main focus on sweet onions. G&R Farms has been growing, packing, marketing and shipping sweet onions for nearly seven decades. The company is dedicated to providing consistent quality year-round while perfecting the quality and flavor of sweet onions through research and development. For more information visit http://www.grfarmsonions.com.

About Roundy's
Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR). Founded in Milwaukee in 1872, Roundy's operates 106 stores throughout the state of Wisconsin under both the Pick 'n Save and Metro Market banners. The company also operates 44 stores in Illinois under the Mariano's banner. In everything we do, we're guided by our values and our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit.

About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. A separately registered nonprofit organization, the foundation is governed by a board of trustees that includes the national FFA president, educators, business leaders and individual donors. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.

Media Contact

Melinda Goodman, G&R Farms, +1 414-469-5524, [email protected]

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SOURCE G&R Farms