Table Editorial Team | Photos courtesy of Rich Products and Freestore Foodbank

“It was really important to invite our colleagues from Kroger to experience the difference our partnership makes in the community,” said Rob McCoy, Director of Sales, Consumer Brands at Rich Products. “We were able to demonstrate our shared commitment to eliminating food waste and alleviating hunger.”

When Rob learned that the Freestore Foodbank had opened a facility capable of accepting frozen goods, he knew that could be game-changing. Inventory specialists at Rich’s identified 2,500 cases of SeaPak frozen shrimp—an entire truckload of premium frozen products eligible for donation. This single initiative diverted quality food from waste while feeding thousands of families in need.

Rich’s also covered the cost of packing the goods onto a refrigerated truck at its Murfreesboro, Tennessee facility and delivering them directly to Cincinnati.

Then, on October 9, four associates from Rich’s Consumer Brands and In-Store Bakery divisions, along with two Kroger representatives, spent an afternoon stocking shelves, bagging groceries, and helping families shop the Bea Taylor Market. The next day, teams joined forces for a culinary trends deep dive led by Amanda Buonopane, Senior Manager of Strategic Insights, followed by a collaborative ideation session with Datassential—and even a round of golf.

Feedback from the Kroger participants was unanimously positive. According to post-event surveys, the volunteer and charitable giving components were rated the most impactful elements of the two-day experience.

“From coordinating logistics to volunteering in the market, this experience emphasized the need in our communities while challenging and inspiring us to make an even bigger impact on people and the planet,” Rob reflected.

The Bea Taylor and Liberty Markets are the heart of Freestore’s mission to provide food, connection, and hope. Modeled after traditional grocery stores, they restore dignity to the shopping experience while serving more than 4.5 million meals annually to nearly 30,000 households.

According to Freestore’s 2024 impact report, one in five community members across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana are food insecure—totaling more than 254,000 individuals. Through partnerships like this one, Freestore distributed 47 million meals last year alone, reaching neighbors through mobile markets, school pantries, senior boxes, and direct delivery programs.

• Rich’s Murfreesboro Plant (Tennessee): Origin of the donation.
• Freestore Foodbank (Cincinnati, Ohio): Distribution center and community pantry.
• Kroger Headquarters (Cincinnati, Ohio): Partner collaboration site.

Freestore Foodbank | Partner Since 2024
Region Served: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana
Meals Provided: 47 million (FY2024)
Focus Areas: Food access, workforce development, culinary training
Website: freestorefoodbank.org

“The event provided an opportunity to share valuable consumer insights with a key customer, but more importantly, to connect on a personal level and demonstrate our shared commitment to hunger relief.”
— Rob McCoy, Rich Products

Rich’s partnership with Kroger and Freestore Foodbank demonstrates what happens when purpose scales through partnership. It’s not just a donation—it’s a model for how business relationships can drive measurable community change.