Big Y Thinks Pink With Fresh Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- As part of an innovative monthlong initiative known as "Partners of Hope," all Big Y Supermarkets are donating proceeds from their entire produce departments, in addition to other select products throughout the store, to the local Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Massachusetts and Connecticut Affiliates.

As well as teaming with manufacturers to stock many pink-labeled products that will fund breast cancer research and awareness, the New England retailer is selling pink T-shirts, pink frosted cupcakes, pink travel mugs and water bottles, and pink bouquets, among other items. For a $1 donation, shoppers can purchase pink paper ribbons to be posted in each market. Additionally, all signs in produce, all bags for deli products, and all bags at the registers are pink.

Big Y has joined forces with the UConn Health Center to produce a special breast cancer issue of Big Y's monthly magazine. The issue, also called "Partners of Hope," is being distributed free to all customers. Further, Big Y staff nutritionist Carrie Taylor will discuss the issue in her weekly newspaper column and her newsletter, "Living Well, Eating Smart."

Other ways Big Y plans to get the message across will be to encourage all store employees to wear pink on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7, and the many programs planned by the retailer's wellness team to raise breast cancer awareness.

"Breast cancer affects thousands of women each year," noted Big Y c.e.o. Donald D'Amour in a statement. "We hope that this initiative will not only promote breast cancer awareness, but also save lives through early detection and care."

The program is the first of its kind for Big Y and for any other supermarket in the United States, according to the retailer.

One of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, family-owned and -operated Big Y has 56 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 9,200 employees.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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