Superior Foods International

As a global food distributor, Superior Foods International’s commitment to addressing food security and promoting nutritional leadership is evident through our comprehensive initiatives and measurable results. As part of our response to the needs of the community, we created an internal voluntary Beyond Social Responsibility (BSR) committee to organize event sponsorships, manage fundraisers and goods drives, and to approve employee-submitted donation proposals to nonprofits. Because we believe that investing in our people is just as important as investing in our communities, we offer every employee 40 hours of paid volunteer time off annually.

In 2024:

• Staff volunteered over 330 hours (a paid benefit for all Superior employees)
  • Our volunteers have supported Jacob’s Heart Cancer Support Services for over a decade, helping deliver weekly groceries through their Full Hearts program to families with children battling cancer.
  • Supporting our local food bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, our employees volunteer at the newest food pantry, Nourish, inside Watsonville Community Hospital. This program is specifically for pre- and post-natal mothers and their families, helping to establish healthy eating habits during pivotal development phases.
  • We serve on the Pajaro Valley Engagement Committee helping to build a bridge between local businesses and the food bank.
  • In partnership with Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes, we sponsor fundraising events and regularly volunteer to help serve hot food at their daily free lunch program.
• We advanced nutrition education through school and community gardens by sponsoring Starlight Elementary School’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen in partnership with Life Lab and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, as well as Community Health Trust’s Muzzio Park Community Garden.
• Superior Foods International actively supported the SHOPP (Support All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce) Act, which ultimately led to the proposed 2024 Farm Bill including frozen produce in GusNIP (Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program) funding. We wrote to Congress, garnered support from our employees, invited our partners to back the initiative, signed on to an industry letter, and raised awareness about the legislation. By extending benefits to include frozen produce, the Farm Bill addresses food security and nutritional needs, allowing families to enjoy high-quality, nutrient-rich food that can be stored conveniently and consumed as needed.