Festival Foods Announces Twin Cities First Pet Food Shelf
Local Grocer Partners with Minnesota Valley Humane Society
Friday, October 27, 2006 – Vadnais Heights, MN Representatives of Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc. announced the launch of a food shelf for homeless animals in the Twin Cities. The Bloomington Festival Foods location is conducting a pilot program in partnership with the Minnesota Valley Humane Society to encourage customers to donate food for the animal shelter. Shoppers at the Bloomington Festival Foods may purchase pre-packaged grocery bags of supplies for animals for $5. Supplies will be donated to the Minnesota Valley Humane Society in Burnsville.
“We're seeing this as the beginning of a great service for homeless animals,” said Tom Clasen, Director of Operations for Festival Foods. “We've run food shelves for humans for a long time, and it seemed only natural to support our four legged friends as well.” Clasen added the program in Bloomington is a six week pilot. Festival Foods hopes to engage animal shelters for similar programs near their other Twin Cities locations. The grocery market chain opened its location in Bloomington at 98th and Lyndale earlier this month.
“We are a private, independent non-profit funded exclusively by local individuals, business and service fees , so to have companies partnering with us at this level is tremendously important,” said Kris McDowell, Special Events Coordinator for the Minnesota Valley Humane Society. “We were thrilled when Festival Foods contacted us about this program.” The Minnesota Valley Humane Society serves a large portion of the southern metro area. The shelter recently celebrated its 40,000 adoption and its 25th year anniversary.
About Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc.: Festival Foods stores in St. Paul and Minneapolis are owned by Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc. Twin Cities natives and sisters Marie Aarthun, CEO and Lauri Youngquist, President and COO, own and operate the chain. The company, based in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, owns seven Festival Foods stores and two Knowlan's stores. Festival Foods is a QAI Certified Organic Fresh Produce Retailer. Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc. is a privately held company founded in the early 1900's. More information is available at www.festivalfoods.net.
About the Minnesota Valley Humane Society: MVHS is celebrating 25 years of helping the pets and people in the South Metro. Founded in 1981, the Minnesota Valley Humane Society improves the Twin Cities community by offering a safe haven for surrendered and abandoned animals in need of new homes. They have found homes for over 40,000 animals since 1991 and maintain one of the highest adoption rates in the country. MVHS believes education is the key to a strong human/animal bond. Their free Pet Parent classes help families better understand their pets while their Canine U dog obedience classes humanely teach puppies and dogs good manners. MVHS also has a growing humane education program that teaches children responsible pet care and respect for animals. MVHS is a private, independent non-profit exclusively funded by local individuals and businesses and service fees.
