Working in the community
These are the beliefs, values and initiatives that show how seriously we take our responsibilities to the communities we work in and with.
Being a good neighbour
This concept is at the heart of our approach to working with different communities. It can be summed up by the following statement:
'Working with our local partners, we are committed to helping people participate in building vibrant communities'.
We have established a network of progressive entrepreneurs working at the heart of local communities, with unparalleled knowledge of local needs and regional trends, to fulfil this aim.
Supporting local producers
The local independent store is so often the lifeblood of our communities. After all, local store owners take on a responsibility for the community in which they operate. They care about their customers, local suppliers and the environment that surrounds them. With this in mind, our retailers and food service professionals are encouraged and supported to include produce from local growers and suppliers in the offer. What’s more, through our network of independent stores, we promote everything from local produce to vibrant, sustainable economic infrastructures that encourage local trade and provide a place for sharing news and vital local information.
Supporting countrywide suppliers
Our sourcing policy also reflects our belief in the importance of supporting countrywide suppliers. Hence we buy British in Britain, Irish in Ireland and Spanish in Spain, particularly when it comes to fresh produce such as meat, dairy produce, fruit and vegetables.
Keeping it real
In 2007 we launched SuperValu’s ‘Real Food, Real People Cookbook’ to raise money for local charities. The book is a true celebration of fresh, locally sourced food and is made extra special by the fact that it contains recipes that real people use to feed their families every day. All proceeds from its sales – which to date are in excess of €250,000 – go to fund local charity projects nominated by local SuperValu stores.
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Friends of Londiani
A member of our IT team in Cork, Maria Kidney has spent the past nine years helping to support the Bethel Children’s Home in the Kenyan community of Londiani. The home currently looks after 70 orphaned children aged between three months and 18 years, many of whom are AIDS orphans.
As Chairperson of the Friends of Londiani charity, Maria receives ongoing support from her friends and colleagues in Cork, along with broader support from us. Musgrave employees have organised fundraising events such as raffles and table quizzes for the charity. And not only do we support Friends of Londiani on a sponsorship basis, but we have also donated many computers to the project.
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Triathlon
For the last eight years, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland have held an annual charity triathlon in Cork. Many of our employees, suppliers and retailers participate as individuals or teams, making this a great day out for the local community and all sorts of people associated with Musgrave in Cork, Dublin and GB. The Triathlon is invaluable for the causes we support: to date we have raised over of €2.4m for the Irish Cancer Society and Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.
In September 2009, various employees from across the business took on the challenge of the Triathlon What a sight to hold! Employees in conjunction with all other contenders took on the physical challenge that the Triathlon proposed: Employees participated as part of a three person team or completed the whole event solo which consisted of a - 800m Swim - 33km Cycle and finally a 10km Run. Employees, retailers and the general public were graced with good weather and great crowds to encourage them on.
http://www.musgrave-triathlon.com
View the photo gallery
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Junior Achievement
Through our Junior Achievement Programme participation, we offer assistance in developing the next generation of Irish business leaders. The Junior Achievement Programme is a series of business-related programmes aimed at 5- to 15-year school children, designed to teach them about the world of work and the value of enterprise. These programmes aim to help them set goals and make plans for the future. These programmes are carried out by Musgrave employees who take time out of their working day to share their work experience with children in schools throughout Ireland. Not only do these volunteers find this highly rewarding, but the feedback from the students is also fantastic. In 2009, a total of 34 volunteers from across the Musgrave organisation participated in the Junior Achivement programme.
http://www.juniorachievement.ie
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