H-E-B RECEIVES 2007 NATIONAL GOLDEN GROCER HUNGER CHAMPION AWARD

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Dec. 11, 2007 – In recognition of its exceptional effort to support the Food Stamp Program in Texas and provide outstanding service to food stamp recipients, H-E-B has been awarded the 2007 national Golden Grocer Hunger Champion Award in the large grocer category from The Food Stamp Outreach Coalition (FSOC). The award was presented today in San Antonio by Jessica Shahin, Acting Deputy Administrator for the Food Stamp Program, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and Bill Ludwig, Regional Administrator for the Southwest Region, USDA FNS.

H-E-B was recognized in part because of the unique partnership it established with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to use select H-E-B stores as outreach posts for the Food Stamp Program. This partnership allows outreach workers from local food banks to provide in-store customers with Program enrollment information as well as information on nutrition and forming healthy eating habits. H-E-B is the first retailer in Texas to partner with the State of Texas to provide this level of outreach.

State Senator Carlos Uresti who nominated H-E-B for the award was joined by other members of the Bexar County Legislative Delegation for the presentation which also included recognition of H-E-B by representatives from the San Antonio Food Bank and Food Stamp recipients from the community who wished to express their thanks to the company.

“This is a great honor for H-E-B and we thank the Food Stamp Outreach Coalition for its recognition,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs and Diversity. “We’re proud to have a role in supporting the state in its initiative to reach out and educate Texas residents not only about the Food Stamp Program but also on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating.”  

The Food Stamp Outreach Coalition is a national group of organizations and individuals that work to improve accessibility to and increase participation in the Food Stamp Program.
The coalition created the Golden Grocer Hunger Champion awards to recognize the outstanding achievements and creative ideas used by retailers, like H-E-B, to improve service to food stamp recipients, to encourage participation in the Program and promote healthy eating habits.

“H-E-B is a strong supporter of the goals of the Food Stamp Program, working with their customers, their community and USDA to reach out to low-income families in ways that make a difference in their lives,” said Jessica Shahin, FNS Acting Deputy Administrator for the Food Stamp Program.  “This award is a way for USDA to show our appreciation for that and to salute H-E-B.”

The prevention of hunger in the communities it serves has earned H-E-B numerous accolades for its long-time commitment to promoting the Food Stamp Program, providing nutrition and healthy eating education to customers, and for its strong hunger assistance programs.

These programs include the H-E-B Food Bank Assistance Program, which support food banks across Texas and Mexico through monetary and product donations, and the H-E-B Feast of Sharing Dinners which serve more than 225,000 free holiday meals in a festive atmosphere to residents in 26 communities in Texas and Mexico.

About H-E-B
For more than 100 Years, H-E-B has been an innovative retailer. Known for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at every day low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 60,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities throughout Texas and Mexico. For more information, visit www.heb.com.

About the Food Stamp Outreach Coalition
The Food Stamp Outreach Coalition is a national group of organizations and individuals that provides a forum for the sharing of outreach ideas, strategies, and resources in order to improve the accessibility of the Food Stamp Program and increase participation by eligible persons. The Coalition seeks to broaden community awareness, improve support for the FSP, and is committed to improving its effectiveness through viable partnerships. www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/about.htm

About the Food Stamp Program
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service Food Stamp Program (FSP) is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger and the cornerstone of all federal nutrition assistance programs. FNS continues its commitment to reach all those eligible for food stamps by working with and through partners on all levels – federal, state and especially the local level. Partners include food banks, anti-hunger organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, individuals, employers, and state and local governments. The Food Stamp Program supplements the food purchasing power of low-income Americans. The Food Stamp Program also supports state and local communities by boosting their economies. Every $5 in new food stamp benefits generates almost twice as much ($9.20) in total community spending. For more information about the Food Stamp Program, visit www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/.