The winery, which has a significant grocery presence, searched for a fund that directly benefited grocery workers, and found that one did not exist, so it started one. Many funds support restaurant workers and bartenders, but the Kendall-Jackson fund is unique in that it’s the first of its kind to support grocery workers.
Kendall-Jackson pledged an initial $200,000 in the first year, and commits to $2 million by 2030.
“Grocery workers are an essential part of Kendall-Jackson’s success. They form the backbone of our business and are a direct extension of the Kendall-Jackson family,” said Barbara Banke, Chairman and Proprietor of Jackson Family Wines. “They have been frontline heroes during the pandemic, risking their health and safety for all Americans. By launching the Grocery Worker’s Relief Fund, we can provide immediate relief to the workers who have supported us for nearly 40 years and need it now, more than ever.”
In the United States, the grocery industry employs more than 2.7 million people. According to a recent Washington Post article about the current state of employees in the grocery industry, workers are feeling “overworked and overwhelmed” and are facing unique challenges.