Food Fight is a program developed to help fight hunger in the over 30 markets Fresh Encounter serves. Each store will have Food Fight bags full of Our Family Brand non-perishable food items that can be purchased for five dollars and then donated to the local food pantries. For appreciation of the customer donating the Food Fight bags, Fresh Encounter will provide the customer with a $5.00 off bounce back coupon for their next purchase!

West Ohio Food Bank’s volunteers are coming from local food pantries to the stores to help with Food Fight Kick-Off on Saturday, June 13th. Customers are encouraged to come in and learn how they can help out in their community. Food Fight will be starting Sunday, June 7th and ending Friday, July 24th.

Partnering with IDT Telecom of New Jersey (www.idt.net), Community Markets developed and launched Text-N-$ave. Text-N-$ave is a simple, unique and exciting mobile advertising program. Employed by thirty-one Community Markets stores across Ohio and Indiana, Text-N-$ave is highly customer friendly. Customers were asked to sign-up for Text-N-$ave in store with their cell phones. They immediately received a “free half-gallon of milk” text message.

Text-N-$ave capitalizes on the explosive growth in text messaging in the United States. In June of 2005, 7.2 billion text messages were sent. Three short years later, the total had increased more than tenfold, with June of 2008 seeing 75 billion text messages sent. In fact, the number of text messages now exceeds the number of phone calls in the U.S.

“It’s exciting when new technology meets a progressive retailer. Community Markets is an innovative and receptive partner. That’s just as important to success as the technology,” said Tom Weekly, President of IDT Retail.

More than 2,000 customers signed up during the first weekend after the launch of Community Markets’ Text-N-$ave program. Today there are nearly 4,000 customers enrolled and the number continues to grow!

A new offer is sent to the Text-N-$ave customers each week. From free, seasonally appropriate items to 10% off total purchase offers, each Text-N-$ave includes a unique PLU number that the cashier enters at the register. All the customer has to do is show their cell phone screen to the cashier to take advantage of the offer. The only customer costs are standard text messaging rates.

“The results have been outstanding,” said Eric Anderson, Co-President of Community Markets. “Our customers love it. Redemptions are running at 20% or more, and the cost is a fraction of direct mail.”

According to Mr. Anderson, that’s just the beginning. “Since each of our Text-N-$ave customers is ‘attached’ to a specific store, we’re able to send specific offers for specific stores,” he explained.

Elissa comes to Community Markets from Kmart Corporation, where she worked for several years, including as a pharmacist after graduating from the University of Toledo. She is looking forward to relocating to the Delta area and loves the community there.

Community Markets falls under the banner of Fresh Encounter, which has its headquarters in Findlay, Ohio. Family owned Fresh Encounter, Inc. is Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer. Fresh Encounter operartes 32 grocery stores throughout Ohio & Indiana under the banners of Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets and Sack ‘N Save.

Jeff brings nearly 25 years of Bakery/Deli knowledge to the post, having worked both on the supply and retail side of the business. Jeff was formally the Director of Bakery Operations at Strack & Van Til Supermarkets in northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area. Additionally, he spent time with Cub Foods, Dawn Food Sales and Justus Brokerage Company. Jeff is married, the father of four children and currently resides in Muncie, Indiana. He plans to relocate to Ohio in the coming months.

With its headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, family owned Fresh Encounter, Inc. is Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer. Fresh Encounter operates 32 grocery stores throughout Ohio & Indiana under the banners of Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets and Sack ‘N Save.

“Much of what I teach my employees today comes from my upbringing in Hartford City and what I learned from family’s furniture store”, said Needler. Mr. Needler’s family operated Hoover Needler Furniture in Hartford City. “It’s all about hard work and attention to the important details like excellent customer service, store cleanliness and community involvement.”

Decatur’s Gerber’s Super Valu is the latest addition in Mr. Needler’s family of stores, joining his two other stores in Ossian and Berne. The stores will feature Premium Angus Beef, Miller’s Amish Country Poultry and All Natural Pork cut and prepared by its in-store butchers. Additionally, the store will offer in-store prepared baked goods and salads along with an improved produce selection. The in-store café will remain open for breakfast and lunch, too. A grand opening celebration will begin with a ribbon cutting September 2, 2008 at 11:00am. The first 100 customers to the store after 11:00am will receive a free 2 liter of Pepsi. There will be weekly give aways, including weekend trips, a snow blower, gas grill, groceries for a year, and much more. Details will be available in-store, on-line and in the store’s weekly circular.

Headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, family owned Fresh Encounter, Inc. is Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer; operates 32 outlets throughout Ohio and Indiana. Fresh Encounter operates supermarkets under the brands of Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Save-a-Lot and Sack-N-Save Supermarkets.

Decatur, IN Jesse and Clara Serna, who have owned and operated the East Monroe Street supermarket since late 1989, announced this morning that they have sold the business to Great Scot of Indiana, Inc., a division of Fresh Encounter, Inc., based in Findlay, Ohio.

"It is with mixed emotions that we announce our retirement from being actively involved in the operation of the store that has been such a big part of our lives," Jesse Serna stated.

The sale was effective Wednesday. The store will be closed beginning Wednesday evening and all day Thursday in order for the new owners to make necessary updates.

"We'll reopen at 6 a.m. Friday morning as Decatur Community Markets," said Fresh Encounter President and Chief Marketing Officer Eric Anderson. "We plan to update some equipment, change some signs and drop some prices. We always like to drop prices when possible.”

"We really want to thank all of our employees over the years and all of our customers. We're very pleased to be able to turn over the business to another family-owned company with a great track record. Clara and I felt it important to find new owners that felt the same way we do about running a family-owned, community minded business. We believe our employees and customers will be in good hands."

Fresh Encounter owns and operates 29 stores in Ohio; this will be the third store in Indiana. The company owns and operates two nearby stores: the Community Markets in Berne and Ossian.

"All we've heard about Jesse and Clara and the Decatur store has been so positive," Anderson noted. "We've done some customer research and we've talked with the store's vendors. We are pleased to continue Gerber’s reputation of excellent customer service, quality meats, local produce, fresh bakery and delicious deli offerings."

Anderson said that their 32 stores have a lot of local autonomy in order to meet customer needs and wants. "This is very important to us," he said. "We don't want to force corporate policies on local stores. Nobody knows our customers better than our dedicated team members at the stores."

Mike Needler founded Fresh Encounter, Inc. in 1995 when he purchased the CWC Companies from his father-in-law, Carroll Cheek. The company is now managed by a third generation, as Needler's sons-in-law, Anderson and Todd Perry, who serves as President, Chief Financial Officer, continue the family traditions in the growing company.

The Decatur supermarket dates back to April 24, 1934 when Carl D. Gerber opened the City Cash Meat Market at 150 S. Second Street. He changed the name of the store just over a month later to Carl Gerber's Meat Market, apparently because of some confusion with a similarly named grocery store.

Gerber, who was also active in city politics, elected to two terms on city council and as Decatur's mayor from 1964-1968, moved and expanded his business to North 13th Street in 1956, building Decatur's first supermarket with at-the-door free parking. That building is currently occupied by The Galley Restaurant. He built the store and shopping center on East Monroe street in 1968.

Phil Barger, who began working for Gerber at the 13th Street store as a stock boy, rose to become store manager and eventually purchased the business from Gerber.

Serna was first hired by Barger as a carry-out boy in November, 1965 while in high school. Serna moved up in the organization, serving in such posts as frozen food and dairy manager, then assistant manager and eventually store manager for Barger.

When Barger, along with his wife, Carolyn, decided to retire in late 1989, they sold their shares to the Sernas. Clara had also worked in several positions including produce clerk, checkout, stocker and, since they became owners, office bookkeeper.

"The years just seem to have flown by," Jesse stated in announcing the sale. "After 43 years in the grocery business, we just feel like it's time to slow down and take life at a slower pace."

The couple is the parents of Jennifer (Tom) Pettibone of Decatur and Nathan (Kerrie) Serna of Van Wert, Ohio. "We're looking forward to having more time with our four grandchildren," Serna added.

Headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, family owned Fresh Encounter, Inc. is Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer; now operating 32 outlets throughout Ohio and Indiana. Fresh Encounter operates supermarkets under the brands of Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Save-a-Lot and Sack-N-Save Supermarkets.

Contestants are judged not only on speed, but also on weight distribution between bags, correct bagging technique, professional appearance and attitude. According to Community Markets Director of Training, Jeff Waldron all aspects of the competition are important. “Being quick obviously helps, but if you put eggs or another crushable product on the bottom, you won’t be the best bagger.” Kelly Barr, Director of Government Relations for Ohio Grocer Association agreed. “The best bagger contest is an exciting competition, which serves as a great way to enhance proper and effective bagging techniques, as well as a prime opportunity for our member stores to showcase their talented employees.”

This years’ Ohio bagging contest is being held at Great Scot Community Markets at 2021 Broad Ave. in Findlay and is being called “Bagging Under the Big Top.” The store will take on a circus theme for the day and feature games, clowns, some of the world’s smallest horses and many more circus themed activities and food for contestants, spectators and the stores regular customers. The day’s circus themed events start at 9am, with the actual bagging contest starting at 1:30pm.

The Ohio Grocers Foundation advocates for issues relating to the grocery business, which allows for promotion and enhancement of the food industry and related careers, through education, tuition reimbursement, training and consumer awareness. Visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.ohiogrocersfoundation.org/. Visit the Ohio Grocers Association website at http://www.ohiogrocers.org/ for more details on the bagging contest including a downloadable bagging contest training manual, compliments of the National Grocers Association.

Great Scot Community Markets is part of Findlay, OH based Fresh Encounter, Inc. which operates thirty-one stores throughout Ohio and eastern Indiana under a variety of banners including Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets and Sack ‘N Save.

Best Bagger Contestants

Manning, Michele - Carnival Foods : Circleville
Zaic, Mike - Giant Eagle : Cleveland
Mansour, Saaid - Savmor BiRite : Cleveland
Haddad, John - Huffman's : Columbus
Keethler, Adam - Huffman's : Upper Arlington
Murray, Billy - Huffman's : Upper Arlington
Greenlee, Cody - Kroger : Columbus
Burckholter, Theresa - Chief Supermarkets : Celina
Imm, Barb - Chief Supermarkets : Napoleon
Moll , Tyler - Chief Supermarkets : Wauseon
Stachler, Jeff - Chief Supermarkets : Coldwater
Hanefeld, Cody - Community Markets : Delta
Lauck, Jamie - Community Markets : Cridersville
Smith, Brian - Community Markets : Wapakoneta
Sybert, Megan - Community Markets : Ada
Banks, Jake - Sutton's Super Valu : Gordon
Webb, Justin - Sutton's Super Valu : Greenville
Lebeau, Nick - Kroger : Grove City
Baraz, Kon - Giant Eagle : Highland Hts
Flanders, Josh - Carnival Foods : Lancaster
Lehman, Jessy - Carnival Foods : Lancaster
Mitchell, Tara - Carnival Foods : Circleville
McConnell, Kevin - Buehler's Food Market : Massillon
Cooley, Heather - Dorothy Lane Market : Oakwood
Bergman, Tom - Dorothy Lane Market : Oakwood
Jividen, Maddie - Bassett's Market : Port Clinton
Kitzler, Melissa - Bassett's Market : Port Clinton
Farley, Denise - Giant Eagle : Ravenna
Caetta, Eric - Giant Eagle : Stow
Legler, Bailey - Huffman's : Upper Arlington
Glockner, Chris - Buehler's Food Markets : Wadsworth
Smith, Andrew - Buehler's Food Markets : Wadsworth
Budding, Nick - Dorothy Lane Market : Washington Square
Greene, Ryan - Dorothy Lane Market : Springboro
Beagle, Mitchell - Appleseed IGA : Arlington
Derr, Matt - Appleseed IGA : Arlington
Elsea, Caleb - Appleseed IGA : Arlington
Lewis, Russel - Kroger : Dublin
Knoz, Sharon - Kroger : Toledo
Smith, Thomas - Kroger : Mt. Vernon
Young, Ryan - Kroger : Dublin

Contacts:

Curt Harris: Senior Advertising Coordinator, Fresh Encounter, Inc. – 419.422.8090x 2274

Kelly Barr: Director of Government Relations / Public Affairs, Ohio Grocers Association – 614.442.5511

All 31 of the Fresh Encounter, Inc. owned & operated grocery stores throughout Ohio & Indiana each entered the Idaho Potato Commission’s National 17th Annual Display Contest

Winners were officially announced on May 1st with prizes ranging from $100 - $1,250. Fresh Encounter had 7 national qualifiers, more than any other grocery chain nationwide! The winners & their prizes include:

Grand Prize Winner $1,000: Community Markets Marysville - Ann Schurtz
Second Place Winner $750: Community Markets Bluffton - Melissa Paullin
Honorable Mentions: $100.00 prize
- Greenfield Community Markets - Dee Mosley
- Wilmington Community Markets - Angie White
- Chillicothe Community Markets - Cheryl Beatty
- Marion Community Markets- Carolyn Coleman
- Chillicothe Sack ‘N’ Save - Lori Switzer

Photographs of all winning displays are available on the Idaho Potato Commission website.

Fresh Encounter, Inc., the Findlay based headquarters, operates 32 grocery stores throughout Ohio and eastern Indiana under the banners of Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, Sack ‘n Save and Fulmer Community Markets. Fresh Encounter, Inc., is Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer.

This contest was during the month of January and was open to all grocery store managers and produce managers in the continental United States and Alaska. Lorie was just one of six grand prizewinners in the entire country. Winners were selected on the basis of originality and creativity when setting up a store display to sell peanuts. Lorie’s display was massive and filled with several different varieties of peanuts, uniquely and attractively displayed. As her prize, Switzer was awarded $1,000.

The parent company of Sack ‘N Save, Fresh Encounter, Inc. also had more than twice the winners in the contest than any other supermarket chain in the country, with an additional first place winner, a second place winner, and five third place winners. Produce Director for Fresh Encounter, Inc, Dick Hastings said “We’re very proud of Lorie and the rest of our winners. We know that grocery shopping can be an enjoyable and with all the entertaining and award winning displays we had I couldn’t be happier.”

Findlay, OH based Fresh Encounter, Inc. operates thirty-one stores throughout Ohio and eastern Indiana under a variety of banners including Sack ‘N Save, Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets. For information on Sack ‘N Save, visit our website at http://www.SackNSaveSuperMarkets.com

The event is sponsored by the Fostoria Community Hospital Diabetes Education Department and this will be their third year providing the educational tour. With about 7% of the US population affected by diabetes, such a tour is a great way to help many cope with the limitations of their dietary choices.

Community Markets is part of Fresh Encounter, Inc. Family owned, Fresh Encounter, Inc. is based in Findlay, Ohio and operates thirty stores throughout Ohio and eastern Indiana under a variety of banners including Great Scot Community Markets, Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, and Sack ‘N Save.

Carol’s winnings from the shopping spree totaled an impressive $182.45. She had purchased five tickets for the event, helping St. Mary’s Church sell a total of 252 tickets to the community. After paying for the shopping spree winnings, St. Mary’s Church raised $1,260 for their building fund!

Any non-profit organization can have their own shopping spree to raise money, according to Eric Anderson, Senior Vice President, “Your Community Market’ is not a slogan, it’s our philosophy for doing business. Being able to help out a great non-profit organization like St. Mary’s Church is just one of the many ways we give back to the community we serve.”

The Community Markets store is located at 154 Vance Street, Bluffton, Ohio and is open 7 days a week from 7am – 10pm.

For more information on Community Markets, including how to sign your non-profit organization up for a shopping spree raffle, as well as other fund raising opportunities, visit the website at www.CommunityMarkets.com.

Community Markets is part of Fresh Encounter, Inc. Family owned, Fresh Encounter, Inc. is based in Findlay, Ohio and operates thirty stores throughout Ohio and eastern Indiana under a variety of banners including Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets and Sack ‘N Save Supermarket.

For more information about Fresh Encounter or where Concrobium can be found, please contact: Eric Anderson at 419-429-4026 or ericanderson@freshencounter.com

For more information about Concrobium Mold Control, please contact: Sam Title at 416-213-0219, toll free at 866-811-4148, ext. 274, or stitle@siamons.com. http://www.concrobium.com.

Community Markets is proud to be able to donate $1,000 to a worthy charity like as the Liberty Center of Fremont. According to Eric Anderson, Senior Vice President, “’Community Markets is not just a name, it’s our philosophy for doing business. Being able to make a donation to a great organization like the Liberty Center is just one of the many ways we give back to the community we serve.”

The Liberty Center is a homeless shelter with 24 beds. Most of their clients are women with children. Their clients are required to work unless they are disabled. Clients of the center are allowed to stay at the Liberty center for a maximum of 60 days. By then some of them have been able to get on their own and purchase a home. Sixty percent of their budget comes from fund raisers and donations or such as this one from Great Scot Community Markets.

The Fresh Encounter Golf Outing this year raised over $38,000 for various charities across the state of Ohio.

Headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, family owned Fresh Encounter, Inc. is Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer; now operating 32 outlets throughout Ohio and Indiana. Fresh Encounter operates supermarkets under the brands of Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Save-a-Lot and Sack-N-Save Supermarkets.

Amid flood soaked, trash lined streets of Bluffton, there’s is one sign that things are slowly starting to return to normal. Just over a week after more than a foot and a half of water breeched the doors of the Bluffton Community Market the store is reopening.

Reopening in such a short amount of time was no small task. Clean up began almost immediately after the waters receded and clean up crews worked tirelessly through Wednesday morning, when the store was given the go ahead by the Health Department to reopen. Clean up was conducted by store staff, staff from other Community Markets stores, Maximum Restoration - a professional cleaning service and even volunteers from the community. The staff of Community Markets then worked late Wednesday to restock shelves for Thursday’s reopening. According to store manager Randy Seitz, “I’m very proud of how my staff, the whole Community Markets Family and the Bluffton Community pulled together to help us reopen this quickly.” Seitz also mentioned that all the regular services, including the meat department, produce department and deli would all be open for regular service beginning Thursday.

“We’ve done everything we needed to do to reopen for business, and then some” according to Senior Vice President of Marketing, Eric Anderson, adding that all contaminated food and equipment was disposed of, and everything that remained was cleaned and sanitized. Anderson also noted that “Serving our community is what we do best, and while we’re eager to get back to doing that, we would not reopen if we felt there was even the slightest risk to our customers.”

Community Markets is located at 154 Vance St., Bluffton, OH, Open seven days a week from 7 am to 10pm. Community Markets is part of family owned Fresh Encounter, Inc., Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer; now operating 32 outlets throughout Ohio and Indiana. Fresh Encounter, headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, operates supermarkets under the brands of Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Save-a-Lot and Sack-N-Save Supermarkets.

Contestants race the clock to sack 25-30 grocery items, such as bread, eggs, frozen foods, chips and canned goods. In addition to speed and equal weight distribution, baggers are also rated on style, attitude and appearance. The top four Fresh Encounter winners will advance to the qualifying round for the state finals of the Ohio Best Bagger Contest to be held in North Canton, OH on August 7, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. The state finals will be held the same day following the qualifying rounds. The state winner will advance to the national competition to be held during the National Grocers Association annual convention in Las Vegas in February.

Fresh Encounter, Inc., the Findlay based headquarters, operates 32 grocery stores throughout Ohio and eastern Indiana under the banners of Great Scot Community Markets, Community Markets, Sack ‘n Save and Fulmer Community Markets. Fresh Encounter, Inc., is Ohio’s largest independent grocery retailer.

Last November the small town of Green Springs, OH lost a member of its community. Lance Cpl. Jeremy Shock, 22, was killed in Fallujah, Iraq when a roadside bomb struck the Humvee he was traveling in.

Since that time the small town of around 1200 people has yearned to heal and find ways to remember its local hero. Thanks in part to the efforts of the Green Springs Great Scot Community Markets the latter has been made a bit easier.

On February 26th the store began selling memorial cards for $1 and American Flags for $15 in Shock’s memory. The cards and flags are being displayed around the small grocery store until April 14th when all the cards will be given to Shock’s parents. All of the American flags will be given at that time to the purchaser to display at their homes in support of the troops still in Iraq.

The first week of the sale over $1,300 was raised, and sales of the cards and flags continue to be steady. According to Community Markets District Manager Jeff Gephart, a member of Shock’s family was recently in the store and upon seeing nearly the entire perimeter of the inside of the store covered with flags hanging from the ceiling was “deeply moved by the show of support by the community.” The flag lined aisles are a moving tribute to the fallen soldier, but a more permanent one will be created after April 14th, when, in accordance with the family’s wishes, the money is given to the Green Springs Park District in his memory. The Community Markets family of stores has also pledged a generous monetary donation to the Green Springs Park District in Shock’s name.

Store Manager Tom Burdette is very humbled by the show of support his customers have shown; “almost every customer has bought a flag or card in Jeremy’s memory and that just goes to show what a good little town we have.”

According to Eric Anderson, Senior Vice President of Community Markets, “’Community Markets is not just a name, it’s our philosophy. When a community suffers a loss like Green Springs has, it’s our responsibility as a central hub in the community to help in what ways we can.”

If you would like to purchase a card or flag in Jeremy Shock’s honor, visit the Green Springs Community Market at 104 N. Broadway until April 14th or call 419.639.2981.