Not all companies can endure long enough to be able to celebrate their 10th anniversary, but Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL), St. Lucia’s largest supermarket and retail chain has.
The company, today (January 9, 2014), in observance of this, announced that it will give back $50,000 to the community as a way of thanking Saint Lucians for their patronage over the years.
Through a “Super J IGA United in the Community” project, launched on Thursday, CFL is offering five nonprofit community-oriented organizations the opportunity to each gain $10,000 to undertake a project of their choice.
Non-profit groups are being encouraged therefore to submit project proposals to the company. These pitches however, will only be accepted during specific periods in five different zones.
The $50,000 initiative will be done in the following zones: Zone A – the Anse La Raye to Soufriere area; Zone B involves Choiseul to Vieux Fort; Zone C from Micoud to Dennery ; Zone D – Gros Islet and Zone E, the city of Castries.
Proposals are now open for acceptance in Zone A and will be until February 10, 2014. This will be followed by Zone B from April 3 to May 5, 2014. The other zones will be open for proposals at later dates.
Among the core guidelines and criteria mentioned, it was stressed that only organizations that are registered community groups will be accepted and that every project must be of benefit to the entire community and not an individual or particular group of individuals.
Groups can get involved by filling out sponsorship forms which are available at the company’s various outlets and providing a formal proposal and plan of action for the project. It was noted that groups and organizations already benefiting from social programmes initiated by CFL or those who are recipient of support from the company, do not qualify for the contest.
An evaluation committee has been instated to compare and contrast proposals “with a critical eye” in order to select a winner from each zone.
CFL officials have given the commitment that staff will be on hand to volunteer during the implementation of each project.
Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at CFL Sariah Best-Joseph said this move is in keeping with the company’s mission of being socially conscious, ethically responsible and focused on community.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of CFL Martin Dorville described the business’ 10th anniversary as a milestone in its development.
CFL currently operates nine Super J IGA Supermarkets, GL Foodmarket and Mega J. It also owns several other smaller scale stores on island.
Just days ago the company said that majority of its shares had been acquired by regional conglomerate Neal & Massy.
According to its website, Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL) is a private limited liability Saint Lucian company involved in food retail and some aspects of food distribution. The company was formed in 2004 through a merger of Saint Lucia’s premiere and oldest supermarket chains.