Category: British Columbia

Let’s fundraise — our Family of Support checkstand campaign starts today!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

Today we kick off our fifth annual Family of Support fundraising campaign (September 19 – October 6) in support of Canadian children’s hospital foundations.

Since 2020, Family of Support has raised and donated $17 million to 13 children’s hospital foundations. These funds have helped to:

  • add dozens of treatment spaces
  • train nearly 13,000 mental health professionals and community care providers
  • treat and assess over 150,000 children and youth

These assessments are the first step to help connect kids with the right support, while the training of providers helps ensure sound, evidence-based care. The number of patients served reflects our commitment to support our partners as they meet the surging demand for mental health care.

Watch our revamped Clear the Clouds TV spot that shares the difference we’re making. These aren’t just numbers or stats — these are lives changed.

A big thank you to you, our Safeway teammates, for leading the charge in raising crucial funds to help provide mental health support for kids when they need it most. Every dollar raised will stay local, directly benefiting children’s hospital foundations in your community.

We’re so grateful for everything you continue to do to make this campaign a success!

Resources:

  • Learn more about Family of Support at familyofsupport.com.
  • Sign up year-round for our Healthier Tomorrows Giving Program, where you can donate directly from your paycheque to your choice of over 30 charities, including the 13 children’s hospital foundations we’re supporting through Family of Support.
  • Your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of your family, is so important to us. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need support, please visit sobeysmentalwellbeing.com. For immediate help, text WELLNESS to 741741 or call 911 if you or someone you know needs urgent assistance.

Last chance! Share words of encouragement for our athletes to win a Feed The Dream lunchbox!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

As the much-anticipated Paralympic Games kicked off last Wednesday, we picked things back up with our Feed The Dream lunchbox contest. And in the midst of all the excitement, our Team Empire Paralympic athletes have earned three medals so far!

If you haven’t entered the Feed The Dream lunchbox contest yet, this is your last shot! You have until the Paralympic Closing Ceremony on September 8 to share words of encouragement for our Team Canada Paralympic athletes.

Just head on over to the Teammate Hub to enter today!

And remember, if you entered the contest during the Olympic Games, but haven’t yet won a lunchbox, you’re still in the running to win (no need to enter again!). Following the Paralympic Games, 500 additional lunchboxes will be randomly awarded, on top of the 500 given out during the Olympic Games.

While you’re on the Teammate Hub, don’t forget to:

  • Read the heartfelt notes of support written by your own teammates.
  • See what our Feed The Dream Correspondents are up to in Paris and follow along on their journey.
  • Take our monthly Trivia Challenge. You could score yourself a Lululemon Team Canada prize pack or Scene+ points.

Good luck, team!

The Paralympic Games are on! Don’t miss your last chance to WIN a Feed The Dream lunchbox!

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

It’s time to get loud and proud once again! The Paralympic Games (August 28 – September 8) have begun — and we can’t wait to watch our Team Canada and Team Empire Paralympic athletes, like Stefan Daniel and Kamylle Frenette, compete for a coveted spot on the podium.

Here at home, you too, have a chance to win big! We’re sure you’ve heard the buzz about the Feed The Dream lunchbox contest by now and that we’ve awarded 500 lunchboxes to date. Want to get in on the action but haven’t entered yet? Well, lucky for you, there’s still time.

All you have to do is head on over to the Teammate Hub and submit a note of encouragement for our Paralympic athletes.

And don’t worry — if you entered the contest during the Olympic Games, but haven’t yet won a lunchbox, you’re still in the running to win (no need to enter again!).

While on the Teammate Hub:

  • Have a look at the heartfelt notes of support written by your colleagues.
  • Check out our digital scrapbook, A View from the Games, to see what our correspondents are up to at the Paralympic Games.
  • Take our monthly Trivia Challenge, too. You could also score yourself a Lululemon Team Canada prize pack or Scene+ points.

Good luck…and let’s get ready to cheer on Team Canada!

Nominate a Special Olympics athlete teammate for an unforgettable experience

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

We’re excited to announce a unique opportunity for one of our Special Olympics athlete teammates to attend the upcoming Special Olympics Winter Games (February 27 – March 3, 2024) in Calgary.

And we need your help in choosing this deserving teammate …. here’s how!

Nomination Period:

Between January 17 and January 26, we encourage you to nominate a teammate who is a Special Olympics athlete and who not only embodies the spirit of the Special Olympics, but also its core values of empowerment, excellence, respect, diversity, and inclusion.

Nomination Process:

Nominating is simple! Fill out this online form, and in 500 words or less share how your nominee exemplifies Special Olympics values. Ensure your nominee is…

  • aware of and has agreed to the nomination before you submit it.
  • available to travel from February 27 to March 3.
  • has a support person available to travel with them during this time.
  • comfortable with completing the correspondent duties indicated below.

And remember, your nominee must be both an active Special Olympics athlete and a teammate who’s not currently participating in the Winter Games.

The Adventure:

The chosen teammate and their guest will embark on an unforgettable journey to the Special Olympics Calgary Winter Games. What makes this experience even more extraordinary is that the selected teammate will serve as our special correspondent, capturing the behind-the-scenes magic of the Games that we’ll share with all teammates to give you an inside look at the Games. In addition to attending the Special Olympics Winter Games, the chosen teammate will also enjoy a Calgary Flames hockey game and explore the breathtaking beauty of Banff or Lake Louise.

Selection Process:

The winner will be selected by members of a panel comprised of the Community Investment, DE&I, Operations, and HR teams, and announced in mid-February. This recipient will be selected based on the strength of their connection to the core values of the Special Olympics.

So don’t delay — submit your nomination today and help us provide one of our teammates with an incredible experience!

Meet Your Safeway 2022 & 2023 Top Value Champions

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

As a Company that lives our values in everything we do, we’re so excited to officially reveal our 2022 and 2023 Value Champions.

With over 1,200 nominations, choosing the semi-finalists and winners was certainly not easy. We read stories that made us laugh, and some that made us cry. But after every story, we were left feeling so incredibly proud … proud that these teammates are the fabric of our business.

Check out the list of our nearly 200 Value Champions semi-finalists who are most deserving of our praise.

Without further ado, we’re so proud to share that we’ve got not one, but two Safeway Top Value Champions. Selected as two of only eight top winners, this is an outstanding accomplishment. Like we promised, each winner will receive an epic experience to celebrate their big win in style. We’ll be sure to give you an inside look at their adventures soon.

Community-Engaged: Ashish Errappa

Store Manager at Safeway City Centre Mall in Thompson, Manitoba

Ashish is the true definition of a compassionate, forward-thinking leader who goes above and beyond to serve the distinct needs of his community. Ashish’s local Indigenous community shared a desire for more local grocery and fresh bakery options. So, he shifted his offering to better provide what his community needs. On top of that, Ashish makes it a priority to give back and there’s a long list of community causes he supports, like food banks, schools, and the Boys and Girls Club, to name a few. He even spearheaded a $10,000 Community Action Fund donation of frozen turkeys to Manitoba Keewantinowi Okimakanak Inc. as part of 820 holiday hampers that went to families with food insecurity. There’s no doubt that Ashish exemplifies all that we stand for!

Results-Oriented: Janet Shabatoski

Pharmacy Technician at Safeway Callingwood in Edmonton, Alberta

Janet is the complete package — as a person, teammate and leader. With her can-do attitude, Janet consistently goes well beyond her normal duties to support her team, but most notably, she did so when her manager was on leave. Without hesitation, Janet stepped up to keep the pharmacy running smoothly. Managing invoices, orders, staff schedules, and getting the team through the challenging cyber security incident, Janet did it all, and we’re so proud of her.

 

We’re nothing without our values, and it’s clear that our winners are admired by their teammates for being dedicated, kind, resilient, and incredibly hard-working. Talk about a world-class team.

Once again, congratulations to each winner. Our values make us stronger, together. You’re proof of this.

Don’t forget! Submissions are now open for 2024 — nominate a Value Champion today.

Inspired by a teammate who embodies the values that are at the heart of who we are? Think they deserve an epic experience of their own? Honour their efforts by nominating them using this form.

 

Making the season merry and bright with Compliments and Panache

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

With the holiday season upon us, many of our customers (and teammates, too!) will be hosting holiday parties and get-togethers… and you can’t have a festive celebration without appetizers, right?

That’s right, we can all sleigh the holiday season by preparing the perfect appetizers that will delight our friends and family. Here’s a roundup of a few of our Own Brands appetizers that will surely make it on our customers list. And they don’t need to check it twice!

1. Compliments Charcuterie Trio

It’s so true… everyone flocks to the charcuterie board at holiday gatherings. It’s the definition of easy entertaining and has something for everyone. And we have not one, but three savoury deli meat Charcuterie Trios in stores to choose from. Which one is your favourite? Hard to choose, isn’t it?

  • Hungarian, Cervelat and Peppercorn Salamis
  • Dry-Cured Genoa Salami, Salami with Prosciutto and Prosciutto
  • Dry-Cured Spicy Genoa Salami, Dry-Cured Genoa Salami and Prosciutto

Best of all, pair any of the trios — or all of them — with our Compliments Double Cream Brie Cheese and assortment of crackers for charcuterie board perfection. You’re welcome!

2. Compliments Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Move over buffalo chicken wings! These healthier, but just as scrumptious, cauliflower bites are packed with flavour.

Crispy and smothered in a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce, these bites will certainly amp up your appetizer game to the next level.

We doubt there’ll be any left over!

3. Panache French Onion Soup Bites

 Do you love French Onion soup, but don’t enjoy the hours it takes to make? Well then, this app is for you!

These cheesy, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth bites will definitely elevate your holiday spread this season. Trust us — once you taste one, you’ll be back for more.

Tip: We suggest you have an extra box on hand because they’ll be in high demand!

4. Panache Shrimp Dim Sum Collection

You can’t go wrong with shrimp — and this Shrimp Dim Sum Collection has it all with three different shrimp apps in one convenient pack!

We’ve got siu mai, har gow and shrimp dumplings, accompanied by a soya ginger sauce for all those dippers out there.

We have a very good feeling that this may become one of your go-to hosting appetizer. Yum!

With these great quality Compliments and Panache products (and many other favourites) that we’re proud to offer in our Safeway stores, we know we can meet all of our customers’ holiday entertaining needs.

So whether you’re purchasing these products for yourself, bringing them to a special holiday occasion or recommending them to customers, let’s work together to win our busiest season and make our Own Brands products #1 in our stores.

Happy Holidays!

‘Tis the season for holiday display magic

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

It’s official — the holiday season is in full swing!

From produce to the floral and bakery department, and through every aisle, our Safeway stores are buzzing with the festive spirit.

Taking centre stage is our 2023 Holiday campaign, reminding customers that their local Safeway store is here for everything needed to create their special holiday meals.

Holiday season after holiday season, we continue to be amazed at how you bring the campaign to life. Just seeing all of the magical yet unique holiday displays in stores now, its clear that the spirit of innovation is flourishing at Safeway.

Together, we have what it takes to win our busiest season. Let’s continue to show our customers that shopping with us is second to none.

Here’s only a handful of merchandising displays that will surely wow our customers all season long. Go team go!

There’s trees within a tree! Talk about thinking outside of the box. Way to go, Castlegar Safeway (B.C.)!

Safeway Tyndall Square (Winnipeg, MB) has all your Panache holiday entertaining needs in one spot!

What’s better than a tree made out of cookies? Nothing! Collingwood Safeway (Vancouver, BC) surely agrees!

These festive editable creations from Seafair Safeway’s (Richmond, B.C.) Bakery department look too good to eat!

Poinsettias galore! Great display, Swift Current Safeway (SK)!

English Bay Safeway (Vancouver, B.C.) is ready and waiting for Santa!

Safeway Local Supplier Spotlight: Squamish Water Kefir Company

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

We’ve been supporting local suppliers for as long as we can remember, and helping our Canadian food entrepreneurs flourish continues to be an important part of who we are and what we stand for.

This is why we’re happy to put a well-deserved spotlight on some of our incredible partners. We recently met up with Kristin Campbell, co-founder of Squamish Water Kefir Company, to learn all about her company’s delicious products filled with healthy probiotics and digestive enzymes.

Can you share a little bit about your background and how your company came to be?

Sabrina Horlyck (the other half of Squamish Water Kefir Co.) and myself are self-proclaimed health nuts who had long suffered from nagging gut issues until we found relief from adding fermented foods into our diets.

The first batch of water kefir was brewed in Sabrina’s kitchen while she was studying at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition on a personal quest to cure her intestinal issues. She was quickly amazed by the results and was even more ecstatic when her family loved it. Soon Sabrina was delivering to friends and neighbours in a little red wagon with her young daughter in the back. The defining moment came when Sabrina received a text message from someone who tried her “magic potion,” and it was then that she knew she was onto something good.

I had travelled the world as a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and studio owner. I had just sold my remaining shares in NeoWhistler YYoga and was looking for a new gig. While out for a run together, Sabrina pitched the idea to partner up, and a YES leapt out of my mouth before my mind caught up! We decided to sign up for the next Squamish Farmers Market and we sold out in a couple of hours on a rainy Sunday in September. It was green lights from then on and Squamish Water Kefir Co. was born in 2015.

Sabrina                           Kristin

Can you tell us more about your products?

Your gut talks to your brain and your brain talks to your gut — and both benefit from fermented foods. By consuming fermented foods, you’re adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your intestinal flora, increasing the health of your gut, and strengthening the digestive and immune systems.

  • Sparkling Probiotic Soda with over 2.5 Billion Live Vegan Probiotics in every can. Flavours include Blood-Orange, Lemon-Ginger, Berry Berry, Mojito Mint and Lemonade Iced-tea.
  • Pure Water Kefir with over 215 Million Live Vegan Probiotics in every ounce. This can be used in smoothies, salad dressings or taken as a daily gut shot.
  • Probiotic Popsicles, the first of their kind with the first ingredient being water kefir and up to 2 Million Vegan Probiotics per pop! Flavours include Lemonade, Fudge, Grape and Horchata.

In what ways have your local B.C. roots impacted your business?

British Columbia is known for its stunning natural beauty and environmental consciousness. That’s why it was important to us to do our part in minimizing our environmental impact. We use eco-friendly packaging, all of which are purchased within a 100 km radius of our facility in Squamish, and we promote recycling initiatives.

In addition, B.C.’s well-established health and wellness culture, with a strong demand for products that offer health benefits, inspired and motivated us to go in this direction with our business — and we’re happy we did!

As your business began to grow, why were you interested in working with Safeway?

Safeway is a trusted and recognizable brand that truly supports (and believes in) local businesses like ours. Having our products on your shelves helps us widen our customer reach, boost sales, and increase visibility of our products so we can fulfill our vision of providing nutritious and delicious products to all.

What did it feel like when you saw your products on Safeway shelves for the first time?

We were ecstatic when we got the news that Safeway was placing an order. It felt like a rite of passage! Seeing our innovative products on your shelves has lifted our confidence in continuing to grow our business.

What makes you most proud to partner with Safeway? 

Partnering with such a renowned brand gives our business an added sense of credibility and validation, reflecting positively on the quality and appeal of our products. Not to mention, it gives us so much pride to work with a company that shares our same values — a commitment to sustainable and community-centric practices.

What growth has your company seen since partnering with Safeway?

It’s still early days, but we’ve seen an uptake in sales over the last couple months, and we hope to see this continue. We’d also love to see our products in Safeway stores across Canada, too.

What’s next for you and your business?

We’re innovators at heart! Our company was the first to market with our Sparkling Water Kefir/Probiotic Sodas and Probiotic Popsicles, and we have another product line in the works. Stay tuned on Instagram @squamishwaterkefir for updates.

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Squamish Water Kefir is now available in 15 Safeway stores throughout B.C. (with more to come!). Be sure to try these yummy products that are good for your gut health, too.

Keep an eye out for more Safeway Local Supplier Spotlights coming your way soon!

Congratulations to our Safeway 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

In 2010, we embarked on a journey to empower and support our student teammates across Canada in their pursuit of academic and professional aspirations. The Sobeys Inc. & Empire Scholarship program was established with a vision to foster growth, nurture talent, and provide invaluable support for our dedicated teammates on their educational journeys. Since its inception, this program has awarded numerous scholarships valued at $1,500 each, to deserving teammates, and this year is no exception.

Our selection process was exceptionally competitive this year, with our student teammates displaying talent, determination and ambition. Out of the outstanding pool of applicants, we’re thrilled to introduce the remarkable Safeway teammates who’ve been chosen as the recipients of the 2023 Sobeys Inc. & Empire Scholarships.

We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s recipients and our sincere thanks and best wishes to all applicants as they pursue their academic goals. Our scholarship program and application process can be found at: https://sobeyscareers.com/scholarship/

Applications are accepted from May 15 to June 15 each year.

Trevor Trinh, Terra Losa Safeway, Edmonton, Alberta – Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at University of Alberta

Claire E Mandrusiak, Capilano Safeway, Edmonton, Alberta – Doctor of Pharmacy at University of Alberta

Zachary D Yopek-Stabel, Boonie Doon Safeway, Edmonton, Alberta – Entry to Practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at University of Alberta

Anna Margarita S Jose, Seafair Safeway, Richmond, BC – Bachelor in Business Management – Human Resource Concentration at Acsenda School of Management

Connor Kuznik, Safeway Sunshine Hills, Delta, BC – Political Science, Bachelor of Arts Degree Program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Maya Lei, Lynn Valley Safeway, North Vancouver, BC – Computer Science at University of Toronto

Areesha S Chamadia, Safeway Shaughnessy, Port Coquitlam, BC – Political Science at Simon Fraser University

Jorja R Yates, Safeway Swift Current, Saskatchewan – Bachelor of Arts at University of Regina & Great Plains College

Katarina Machovec, Tuxedo Safeway, Winnipeg, Manitoba – Health Care Aide Program at Red River College

It’s because of you! Thank you for helping us raise more than $137K for Family of Support.

Posted on by Daniela Travierso

The fourth annual fundraising campaign for Family of Support: Child & Youth Mental Health Initiative wrapped up earlier this month.

We’re happy to share that our B.C. Safeway teammates and customers came together to raise more than $137,000. In total, more than $2.5 million was raised across all Sobeys Inc. banners.

Knowing the vital importance of early intervention mental health programming, you — our B.C. Safeway teammates — went above and beyond to encourage customers to donate. We’re extremely grateful for your efforts in making this exceptional achievement possible.

We invite you to watch a heartfelt video of thanks from our national patient ambassador, Canon, by clicking here.

Family of Support remains a ground-breaking initiative, funding innovative mental health programs to ensure that children and youth receive the help they need early in life, setting the stage for brighter futures. These programs work to decrease stigma, strengthen families, and provide crucial support to more children and youth in need. Your contributions will continue to make a significant impact in the communities we serve over the coming year.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to explore the stories of impact from our Family of Support patient ambassadors. These stories highlight the tangible difference your efforts are making in the lives of children and youth in need.

But remember, our journey doesn’t end here. Teammates can sign up for our Healthier Tomorrows Giving Program and make contributions directly from your paycheque to one of over 30 charities across Canada, including the 13 children’s hospital foundations we’ve passionately supported this past month.

Thank you once again for your incredible passion and dedication to this worthy cause!

Safeway Caulfeild Village (Vancouver, B.C.) proudly showing off their fundraising efforts.