Mariano's

Hello LinkedIn! For my first official LI post, I'd like to shine a light on GRAND GIVING, my annual food insecurity campaign and fundraiser that kicks off November 1st! For the 11th year, we're partnering with Mariano's where shoppers at 44 Chicagoland locations can make a donation of $1, $5 or $10 or roundup at the register. All proceeds benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank (solvehungertoday.org) which are amazing organizations that help put food on the table for thousands of kids and families in need. If you can't make it to Mariano's, just go to www.grandgiving.org. You can catch me on WGN-TV tomorrow where I'll be sharing a fun and easy recipe and talking about Grand Giving.

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BIG. NEWS. Say hello to Kooshy PANKO BREADCRUMBS!!! Kooshy was built upon a deep love for bread and since so many of our favorite foods use breadcrumbs, it was only natural Jonathan W. and I made this jump for our NEW product launch. They’re what binds Grandma’s meatballs, give a baked mac & cheese that oh-so-satisfying crunchy topping and coat the crispiest of chicken cutlets. BE SURE TO HIT PLAY ON THE VIDEO BELOW ; ) 🍞🔨🧚♂️ Since everything comes down to quality, we did a ton of R&D to make the best performing breadcrumb for both frying and binding + maintain the highest quality attributes in the category – Non-GMO, Sourdough, Vegan, Seed Oil Free & NO SUGAR (most people don't even realize almost all breadcrumbs contain sugar). We’re SO EXCITED to be sharing these with you, our Kooshy fam. Head to our website to place an order in time for your holiday cooking shenanigans or find us on shelf at some of our favorite retail partners @ Mariano's, Jewel-Osco, Misfits Market, Imperfect Foods, Central Market, Big Y World Class Market, Lowes Foods, Nugget Market, Inc., Sendik's Food Market, Kimberton Whole Foods, Caraluzzi's Markets, Rouses Markets + many more coming soon...stay tuned! #newproduct #launch #cpgmarketing #startup #grocery #retail #founders #cpg #consumerbrands #naturalfoods #pantry #breadcrumbs Nick Ferguson, CPA Anja Westhues

At Naturally Chicago, we’ve always said that our live events are where the magic happens – the networking, connections, new friendships and maybe some future business partnerships. And our Women in CPG celebration, held Tuesday night at Time Out Market Chicago and its Tony’s Rooftop Bar, was truly magical. Our thanks to: * NielsenIQ (NIQ), our event sponsor, for its support and for providing the drinks and snacks that helped make the conversations flow. To learn more about NielsenIQ and its business-building analytics services, visit https://lnkd.in/eZrHmsH. Time Out Market, for providing the amazing space and hospitality. The members of our host committee, who played a key role in the evening’s success: Jennifer Amdur Spitz (Amdur Spitz & Associates, Inc) and Perteet Spencer (Ayo West African Foods), both of whom spoke to the assembled guests; Kim Feil (Aspire Brands, Inc. (Aspire Drinks); Bethany Gomez; Tracey Warner Halama (Creekside Ventures); Kim Oster-Holstein (Twisted Alchemy); Erica T. Kuhlmann (BMO); Colleen McGinnis (NielsenIQ); Katie Paul (KeHE Distributors); Sarah McCarron (J.P. Morgan Private Bank); Jennifer Paulson; Amanda Puck (Mariano's); Karuna Rawal (Nature's Fynd); Suzy Richard (SPINS); Christie Schuessler (Naturally Chicago); Alison Velázquez (Brand Blueprint CPG); and Jenny Yang (Jenny's Tofu). A special shoutout to Amanda Puck and her Mariano’s teammates, who stepped into the breach when we needed help at check-in. And last, but certainly not least, the attendees who packed the room with lots of buzzy energy.

We kicked off our ‘Tis the Season of GOOD Giving campaign, with a Thanksgiving Holiday Drive. Together with the Jonathan Owens Foundation, the K.W.O.E. Foundation Kareem K.W.O.E. Wells, and Mariano's we were able to provide 500 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need.   Supporting the community and spreading kindness is just GOOD! Michelle McBride Crissy LoSasso Zach Hotle David Barnes Victoria Chávez #drinkgoodsport #grabthegood #hydration #givingback #thanksgivingdrive #goodgiving

This was one of those really GOOD weeks. It started out on Monday with the GoodSport Nutrition team handing out 500 Thanksgiving dinners in partnership with the K.W.O.E. Foundation Kareem K.W.O.E. Wells, the Jonathan Owens Foundation and Mariano's/ Amanda Puck at Building Brighter Futures in Lawndale. And it's ending with a new partner announcement.... welcome to the team starting tight end for Dallas' favorite team- JAKE FERGUSON. Thank you to Jeff Hoffman at ESM - Everett Sports Marketing and Crissy LoSasso and Victoria Chávez for making it all come to life. goodsport.com

So fun to be on set with former MLB All-Star (and even better human) Curtis Granderson at WGN-TV where he prepared the Grandyman Egg in a Batter's Box and promoted GRAND GIVING, his annual campaign in partnership with Mariano's to raise funds and awareness for food insecurity. Throughout the month of November, you can donate at any Mariano's location or go to www.grandgiving.org. Proceeds benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. #endhungernow #grandgiving #curtisgrandersonfoundation #ilovemyjob

Did you know 1 in 5 families in Chicago don't know where their next meal is coming from... That's why today we shed light on food insecurity with Curtis Granderson & Mariano's to kick our Grand Giving campaign into high gear! Celebrating our 11th year in partnership with Mariano's, we've raised over $1.25M in donations for the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank, but families are still struggling and we need your support. If you shop Mariano's during the month of November, please consider donating at the register or self-check out and if you're not local, go to www.grandgiving.org to Help us Strike Out Hunger!

This weekend, we came together for our Thanksgiving Holiday Drive packing day, and it was truly inspiring! 🦃💙 Partnering with Jonathan Owens Foundation, K.W.O.E. Foundation, and Mariano's we are proud to have prepared meals for 500 families in need this holiday season. It's a testament to the power of community and collaboration. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed. #drinkgoodsport #grabthegood #jonathanowens #kwoefoundation #marianos #turkeydrive #goodgiving

Sundays are always Fun-days when we get to spend them with I Am A Gentleman Incorporated! On November 5th, Mariano’s had a busy and fun-filled day as we hosted our Sunday Dinner Series with our Partners at IAAG Inc, this week at Zelda Ormes Apartments, for the 3rd year in a row. This important event series focuses on community togetherness and the importance of bringing people close with a warm, home-cooked meal!   Residents enjoyed a delicious supper crafted by Chicago’s very own Soul & Smoke team. David Hernandez got the crowd going by hosting competitive bingo rounds for prizes! Jermaine Lawrence Anderson of IAAG announced the raffle winner and the excitement was through the roof. We were approached by many grateful participants who look forward to this event every year. Thank you to Soul & Smoke and Jermaine Anderson for coming together with Mariano’s to bring this amazing event to all of Zelda Ormes Apartments’ wonderful residents!