C&S Wholesale Grocers was named the 2010 Cornerstone Award winner by New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) at NHBSR’s 7th Annual Spring Conference at the Grappone Conference Center.
NHBSR Program Director Kate Luczko presents the 2010 Cornerstone Award to C&S Wholesale Grocers Community Involvement Program Director Erin Temmen.
“C&S Wholesale Grocers exemplifies all of the best qualities of socially responsible companies,” said NHBSR Executive Director Molly Hodgson Smith. “Whether they’re carrying out programs to feed the hungry, promoting environmental awareness or encouraging employee volunteerism, C&S serves as a role model for other NH companies to emulate.”
As the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the United States, based on revenue and the 12th largest privately held company in the country, as ranked by Forbes magazine, C&S Wholesale Grocers, founded in 1918, provides wholesaling and distribution services from warehouses in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, West Coast and Hawaii. The men and women of C&S are responsible for the delivery of food and non-food products to 3,900 grocery stores across the nation. Four platforms guide the company’s CSR initiatives:
Eliminating Hunger: In partnership with leading national hunger organizations Feeding America, Share Our Strength and the Congressional Hunger Center, C&S has the opportunity to help address immediate needs and to contribute to innovative, long-term solutions.
Strengthening Communities: Through their support of United Way and their community-focused mini grant program, C&S helps create stronger, healthier families and communities. They have a special focus on organizations dedicated to improving children’s literacy.
Protecting the Environment: C&S is committed to protecting the health of the planet and the natural environment. In addition to corporate initiatives to reduce waste and save energy, C&S participates in the Go Zero® carbon sequestration program sponsored by The Conservation Fund.
Encouraging Volunteerism: C&S employees believe in rolling up their sleeves and making a difference. Through programs like Make A Difference Day, Dollars for Doers, and Team Up & Make Strides, C&S supports their employees who volunteer in their communities.
The two other finalists for this year’s Cornerstone Award were: Antioch University of New England and Alison Huber-Jewett.
The NHBSR Cornerstone Award is presented every year at the NHBSR Spring Conference to a company, organization or individual that exemplifies the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and promotes the concepts of CSR to the greater business community within the state of New Hampshire.
This year’s NHBSR Spring Conference, titled “Social Responsibility: Competitive Advantage to Competitive Imperative,” focused on how businesses can incorporate more sustainable practices in the workplace while saving resources and creating a return on investment. The conference incorporated a variety of “green” elements including carbon offset, recycling, minimizing waste and sustainable menu choices.
Additionally, the conference featured a prominent keynote speaker; Mindy Lubber, President of Ceres. It also featured numerous morning educational breakout sessions, a World Cafe, a Silent Auction, a Job Board and a “Green Drinks” themed cocktail hour to end the day.
About NHBSR: NHBSR fosters socially and environmentally responsible business in New Hampshire, recognizing that people, principles and profits must be linked. NHBSR offers education, networking and promotion around sustainability and CSR issues. Learn more at www.nhbsr.org or call 603.391.8471.