New Appreciation for Big Y

[annesan]

Hi!

You all may or may not know I work at the Big Y in Southbridge Ma. I had the honor of attending the Big Y annual Awards Gala tonight. I received the Employee of the Year award for my store. I knew Big Y was a good company to work for, but I have found a new appreciation for the company after this dinner.

For example, I knew Big Y Recycles its plastic bags and will recycle bags that customers return to the store. We also recycle the plastic film that our pallets come wrapped in. These materials get sent to a company that makes plastic decking. What I didn't know is that 5 of our stores are 'Green' stores, with another 5 setting up to become 'Green' this year. This means that in addition to recycling, we have a compost area. All compostable products are thrown in there. They are then sent to a compost farm and are used in Organic gardening.

Big Y contracts with local farmers and uses them as much as possible. They work closely with the farmers to ensure that we get the freshest produce possible and in the case of Organics,that they are totally organic.

Big Y honored 'Unsung Heros'. It was one of our stores who had an employee with terminal cancer. The employee had gotten to the point where she couldn't work. The store held a fundraser and raised 3000.00 for this cashier. The manager raffled off the chance to shave his head. It was so touching.

Big Y has family trips, they do 6 Flags every year. They offer christmas trips, trips to Ellis island. They have a Big Y retreat every year, last year it was France, this year it is New Mexico I think. Everyone over 18 has the chance to win a ticket- it is not just management that goes.

Big Y encourages and rewards giving back to the community. They have a "BEST" committee at each store where we decide how to give back. Many stores choose to do the relay for life. Some do March of Dimes walks, working at food banks.

They acknowledged everyone from top managers to top volunteers, to new ideas, They spoofed ideas that didn't work and we all laughed.

Thank you for reading this far. I guess sometimes it helps to look at a company as a whole. I really enjoyed my experience tonight.

[danyellelynn05]

Congrats to you !! I go in to your store every once in a while , i live in Brimfield , so i usually hit the Palmer Big Y.

[mommy3times]

Hi!
I go to your store and think it is a great place to shop-what an interesting email. I didn't know half of that. COngrats on your award-it's always nice to be appreciated and recognized. You deserve it-in fact it was you that told me about HCW! You smile for every customer and you make everyone feel great for shopping there. Good job.

mommy3times

[too-old-now]

I'm glad that BigY is treating you well.

I still refuse to shop there becuase they've changed the stores around me to no longer double MFR coupons.

I used to get 10's of 1000's of $$ worth of free stuff there, now it's not worth my time to even look in their flyer.

[annesan]

It does indeed stink about no longer doubling the coupons. I bring it up on a regular basis with my manager. But, there are definatly still plenty of good deals to be had.