Publix Super Markets Recipient of IAFP Black Pearl Award

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Des Moines, Iowa - The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) selected Publix Super Markets as the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Black Pearl Award. Sponsored by Wilbur Feagan and F & H Food Equipment Company, the Black Pearl Award will be presented at IAFP’s Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina in July.

This honor is given annually to one company for its efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards, and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP.

Beginning in 1930 with one store in Winter Haven, FL, today Publix operates 1,070 supermarkets in five states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, with a new market planned for North Carolina. With 157,000 associates, Publix is the largest employee-owned supermarket in the U.S. Their retail grocery business includes bakery, deli, grocery, meat/seafood, produce/floral and pharmacy departments. Seven Publix Sabor Hispanic-format stores and three GreenWise Markets feature organic, all-natural and earth-friendly products. Publix also has 14 Publix Pix gasoline/convenience stores and 160 Publix Liquors stores. Best known for its supermarket locations, Publix is also a manufacturing company, and is the largest supplier of products to its stores. Manufacturing includes four fresh foods operations, three dairy plants, two bakery plants, a deli plant, printing services, and manufacturing and supply purchasing.

Listed as one of FORTUNE’s Most Admired Companies (1994–2012); ranked 106 on FORTUNE magazine’s annual list of FORTUNE 500 companies (2012); and ranked No. 1 on the Reputation Institute’s Corporate Social Responsibility Index (2011), Publix has received numerous awards from many organizations in recognition of their commitment to associates, customers and community organizations.   

“At Publix, we’ve worked hard for more than 80 years to earn our customers’ trust,” states Todd Jones, President. “These great people – whom we consider part of the Publix family – trust us to provide quality products, a convenient, clean and pleasant shopping environment, premier service and so much more. Our associates know that food safety isn’t just one department’s or one person’s responsibility. It takes each associate being knowledgeable and aware of food safety and sanitation procedures to maintain safe, high-quality food for our customers.”