Certified Angus Beef® recently announced the winners of their prestigious marketing and leadership awards, designed to “recognize retailers’ dedication to quality”.  Food City was named Retail Marketer of the Year within the large chain category.  The winners were recognized at the annual brand conference, held September 17-19 in Marco Island, FL.  

“These retailers continue to identify new avenues for sharing our premium quality and farm-to-table stories with customers,” says John Stika, Certified Angus Beef® brand’s president. “They offer a vital link between consumers and ranchers who are equally passionate about bringing their best to the table with the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.”

Food City was recognized as having “promoted Certified Angus Beef® products at University of Tennessee football games and NASCAR events, as well as through a backyard barbecue contest”.  Their meat department staff was also commended for “having attended training on the farm to learn more about beef quality first-hand”.  

“Our meat departments offer a complete selection of top quality meats that are all-natural with no solutions added, including Certified Angus Beef®,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.  “In fact, we are proud to be the exclusive retailer of Certified Angus Beef® in many of the markets where we operate.  Our team does an excellent job identifying unique and creative methods of promoting and marketing the brands we support and I would like to congratulate them on this tremendous honor.”

“I am excited to accept this prestigious honor on behalf of over 13,000 Food City associates,” says Steve Holloway, director of meat operations for Food City.  “We take a great deal of pride in offering our loyal customers the best service and the freshest, highest quality meats and seafood every day; and it’s nice to be able to recognize our team for all of their hard work and dedication.”

“More than 16,000 businesses partner with the Certified Angus Beef® brand, generating an estimated $6 billion in consumer sales annually, with retailers and restaurants in the United States and 45 other countries. The Certified Angus Beef® brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select thanks to 10 strict quality standards. Founded in 1978 by Angus cattlemen, this is the only beef brand owned by the American Angus Association® and brought to the table by its family farm and ranch members. For information, visit www.CertifiedAngusBeef.com or follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter or the www.GoRare.com blog.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 106 retail food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. For more information, visit them online at www.foodcity.com