JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Southeastern Grocers Inc. is recognizing its “heroic associates” on Supermarket Employee Day, the company said Tuesday.

FMI, The Food Industry Association, declared February 22 to Supermarket Employee Day in, seeking to recognize the hard work and dedication of food industry employees as they continue to feed families and enrich lives. SEG said its associates have contributed and volunteered countless hours in their communities to provide access to safe, healthy and affordable food while displaying courage, compassion and dedication for their communities. The company is inviting customers can join in the celebration by sharing words of gratitude to their local grocery store team.

“At Southeastern Grocers, our more than 38,000 heroic associates come to work every day to provide their local communities with essential services that help them survive and thrive,” SEG president and CEO Anthony Hucker said. “I could not be prouder of what our hardworking, kind and selfless associates have accomplished over the past two years. They truly have become the backbone of their local communities, and I am thrilled to celebrate each and every one of them today and every day.”

SEG, parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has been certified as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years and was the only grocer featured in Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces list for 2021, ranking no. 48 among the top 100 companies recognized for employee happiness and satisfaction at work. In 2021, SEG was also named a top chain in the outcomes Medication Therapy Management (MTM) top provider awards for the organization’s pharmacy overall effectiveness in delivering comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) and resolving drug therapy problems through targeted interventions.

The company said it has continued to advocate for belonging, inclusion and diversity. The grocer participated in four Pride festivals throughout its home state of Florida in 2021 and was recognized by the National Diversity Council as a top employer for Latino leaders in response to its extraordinary commitment to Latinos in the workplace. SEG is also a proud member of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, a supporter of the National Diversity Council CEO Antiracism Pledge and a supporter of LGBTQ Workplace Equality as a Corporate Equality Index participant.

SEG associates continue to support one another through the SEG Cares foundation, an internal nonprofit platform that allows associates to help fellow associates in times of need. Last year, the internal platform raised more than $350,000 and helped hundreds of associates. SEG added that it believes its team should reflect its diverse customers and is seeking associates with all levels of experience and backgrounds to develop and empower based on individual goals.