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Cintas’ Fire Protection Division celebrates 20 years of impact

In two decades, Fire Protection has become a national leader in the industry

 

CINCINNATI — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $CTAS — The Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) Fire Protection Division, a national leader in fire sprinkler systems, fire alarms, fire suppression systems, extinguisher inspections, emergency signage and training, is celebrating 20 years of growth, leadership and success.


Cintas launched its Fire business in April 2003 as part of its then-combined First Aid, Safety and Fire Division. It began with a small acquisition in New Jersey and 24 employee-partners and has continued to grow since.

 

Tuesday, Cintas operates the Fire Protection division as a separate business unit1. It employs more than 2,500 employee-partners across the United States operating service locations, processing centers and dedicated support centers.

 

John Amann, President and COO of Cintas Fire Protection since 2016, is proud of the division’s important value proposition.

 

“We help our customers protect their most valuable assets: their people, their property and their businesses,” Amann said. “It’s a responsibility that we never take lightly.”

 

Cintas’ commitment to providing fire protection services has recently extended beyond its customers to support those who help people facing fire and fire-related emergencies.

 

The division’s relationship with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) includes philanthropic support for the families of those who have lost their lives in service of others during fire emergencies, as well as ongoing business support for its Prevent the Preventable program which provides education and resources to communities to help reduce fire and other hazards and help improve firefighter safety.

 

Cintas is a Chief Sponsor of the NFFF’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs, its annual fundraising campaign that includes hundreds of events around the country that observe and remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and raise money to support surviving family members of the fallen fire heroes. In the last two years, Cintas has helped raise more than $150,000 for the foundation.

 

“Our corporate culture is what sets us apart,” Amann said, “We aim to do things the right way, and we try to be a great community member. We service our customers with integrity, attention and care and we help our customers protect what’s most important to them. And we’re helping support the fire industry and its people and families who risk their lives to help others.”

 

As Cintas Fire Protection celebrates two decades of growth, success and leadership in the industry, its first two decades of success have set the stage for its future.

 

“The next 20 years of Cintas Fire Protection look even more exciting,” Amann said, “I can’t wait to see opportunities that will occur along the way.”

 

About Cintas Corporation

Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.

 

1 In Cintas Corporation’s financial reporting, Fire Protection is reported under “All Other.”

Contacts

Lizz Summers, Cintas Director of Corporate Affairs, summerse2@cintas.com, 513-972-2859

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Business Culture Economics Education Lifestyle Programs & Events Regulations & Security

Rutgers launches ‘Shares Laboratory’ to study and track equity compensation

26.3 million Americans hold company stock or stock options

 

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #ESPP — The Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing today announced the nation’s first academic research initiative dedicated to equity compensation.

 

The Shares Laboratory will conduct research and policy analysis on company stock, stock options, employee stock purchase plans, and other shares in the workplace.

A huge number of Americans receive equity compensation,” said Bill Castellano, a Professor in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations and Co-Leader of the Shares Laboratory.

 

There are many individual studies on its impact, but there’s never been a dedicated research program until now. The Shares Lab gives equity compensation an address – a place in higher education where policy, practice, and impact will be closely monitored.”

 

About a quarter of all private sector employees hold company stock or stock options as part of their compensation package, totaling about 26.3 million Americans. The Shares Lab will advance understanding of shares by:

  • Monitoring the growth of equity compensation and its role in the economy;
  • Analyzing federal policies relating to stock, stock options, and other shares;
  • Conducting scholarly research on equity compensation in all its forms;
  • Proposing path-breaking innovations to extend shares to more employees; and
  • Predicting how changes in equity access will affect different parts of the economy.

 

The Shares Lab will be the Institute’s flagship “big data” program, monitoring a rich array of government databases, public records, and private surveys. Its reports will overnight become the gold standard for basic research on equity compensation. In addition, the Lab has created a model of the U.S. economy that breaks down the labor force by industry, workplace practices, equity access, income, wealth, and personal characteristics. This model will enable researchers to conduct experiments on critical questions.

 

We know there are gender and racial gaps in equity compensation,” said Douglas Kruse, a Distinguished Professor in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations and Co-Leader of the Shares Laboratory.

 

By using the model, we hope to learn which policy changes would extend shares to more women and people of color. We also hope to investigate how equity shares affect middle class incomes and wealth, among other key questions.”

 

Kruse is a former Senior Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama.

 

Bank of America, Computershare, Fidelity Investments, and Paypal are the initial supporters of the Shares Laboratory’s research effort. Google.org provided a major donation to support the collection of 2022 data. The Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program, the Employee Ownership Foundation, the Global Equity Organization, and the National Center for Employee Ownership will help to disseminate the reports.

 

The Lab will provide the most objective analysis of equity compensation trends and will identify problems and opportunities in this field,” said Joo Hun Han, a Research Fellow in the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing and Co-Leader of the Shares Laboratory.

 

By engaging with practitioners, we hope to accelerate the impact of our research and propose innovations in equity compensation.”

 

About the School

The Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR) is the world’s leading source of expertise on managing and representing workers, designing effective organizations, and building strong employment relationships.

 

About the Institute

SMLR’s Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing conducts empirical research, analyzes policy, and sponsors the leading global fellowship program and academic conferences in the field. Joseph Blasi, the J. Robert Beyster Distinguished Professor, serves as the Institute’s Director.

 

The Institute also manages a program to help college professors teach about these subjects (The Curriculum Library for Employee Ownership) and a technical assistance center (The NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership). One recent initiative (The Employee Ownership Online Education Program), sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, features free online videos to help retiring business owners sell to their employees.

Contacts

Press
Steve Flamisch, Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations

848.252.9011 (cell), steve.flamisch@smlr.rutgers.edu

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Culture Environment Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events Science

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer to hold annual Plant Expo and Garden Market

It’s about Blooming Time!

 

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County’s annual Spring Plant Expo and Garden Market will be Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road, Hopewell Township.

PHOTO: The Mercer Master Gardeners are planning their annual Plant Expo and Garden Market, which will be held on Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, at the Mercer Educational Gardens on the grounds of the Mercer County Stables in Hopewell Township. Pictured, from left, are Expo co-chairs Carol Bencivengo of Hamilton, Stephanie Foy of West Windsor, Ann Mann of Princeton, Harri Nowrey of Hamilton, and Susan Maley of Columbus.

 

One of the most celebrated events of the year, the Expo will be on the grounds of Mercer County Stables. The event is held rain or shine! Free parking is on site.

 

This year’s Expo will feature the much sought after home-grown perennials, trees, and shrubs from the gardens of Rutgers Master Gardeners and a garden market with select vendors.

 

The vendors are Steven Kristoph Nursery, Millstone Township; Shannon’s Nursery, Doylestown, Pa.; Byrne Farm Market, Wrightstown; and Chickadee Creek Farm, Pennington. Additionally, the Master Gardeners are excited to announce the addition of a new vendor, Moon Shot Farm of East Windsor.

 

Meet these select growers and purchase a wide variety of native plants, woody ornamentals, perennials, annuals, tomatoes, veggies, herbs and cut flowers.

 

Plan to arrive early for the best selection! Rutgers Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you choose the right plant for the right place and will answer all your questions.

 

Visit www.mgofmc.org for more information on vendors, a home-grown plant inventory, plant resources, and other sale details.

 

CONTACT: Meredith Melendez  (609) 989-6830; melendez@njaes.rutgers.edu

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County is a volunteer educational outreach program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners participate in many volunteer programs throughout the County. For home gardening, plant, turf, or insect questions, you can visit our Helpline office at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, Monday through Friday, and speak with a Rutgers Master Gardener volunteer. You can also call us, (609) 989-6853, or send us an email AsktheMGs@mercercounty.org. Visit our website at www.mgofmc.org for Helpline hours and more information.

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Art & Life Business Culture Lifestyle Programs & Events

The Resource Home Show trade show returns to The Woodland in Maplewood on Sunday, April 23 from 12 PM – 4 PM, supports ALS research

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #danbrotlabiancaproperties — The Resource Home Show, a home improvement trade show, returns after a three plus year hiatus to connect regional homeowners and home design enthusiasts with an eclectic arsenal of home improvement professionals.

 

Specialists spanning a broad cross-section of fields including interior design, architecture, restoration, home maintenance, pools and landscapes, solar, art installation, home organization, and so much more, will engage visitors through creative displays, educational presentations, and pop-up shops.

 

 

The brainchild of Realtors®, Lisa Danbrot and Carla Labianca of Danbrot+Labianca Properties with Compass NJ, whose online platforms include Inhabit Your Home Blog and the popular Facebook Groups SoMa at Home and Soma at Home Salvage Market, founded the Show in 2018 and have sponsored and produced it since.

 

A home is both its material construct and the way we experience the space inside. The vision of the show is to represent both realms. So, the Show includes a wide variety of home improvement specialists,” says Danbrot.

 

Perhaps the most important thing about the Show is its charitable component. Proceeds will go to support Target ALS which envisions a world where effective treatments for all forms of ALS will lead to a world where everyone with ALS lives. Target ALS harnesses the power of collaborations to accelerate translation of most promising ideas for drug discovery into clinical trials.

 

Tammy Keck, the former Publisher of Design New Jersey Magazine, who has partnered with the Show since 2019 says: “The Resource Home Show is a wonderful opportunity for home & design related businesses to connect with passionate, local homeowners. We also benefited from time spent networking with other businesses exhibiting at the show. A productive and enjoyable community event that continues to yield results two years later.

 

Special highlights of the event are the Designer Showcases in which Interior Designers create environments to offer a sampling of their work. They include: The Inspired Garden by Laura Janney, Liz Curry Studio, Inside HOME by Robert White, Urban Casa, and Liquidscapes, a pool design and installation company.

 

This year’s talented Exhibitors, some returning, include: AV Luxury Design, The Brady Studio, California Closets, Clawson Architects, Clawson Cabinets, Grit & Honey Home Organizing, Guaranteed Rate, Gutter Helmet by Lednor Home Solutions, Idea Space, KRA Insurance Agency, The Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission, Maplewood Mercantile, Neolith, Paul Blizard Landscaping, Power Home Remodeling, Ricciardi Brothers, Rumbolo Art Services, Screenmobile of Maplewood, The South Orange Historical and Preservation Society, Studio Envie, Studio J Glass, Trinity Solar, Ultra Construction Group LLC., and Walden Interiors.

 

Pop-up shops showcasing beautiful wares for home include imPerfect Studio, KCB Curated, and Penchant for Pretty.

 

Interior design photographer, Aimee Herring Ryan of aimee.photos, will be documenting the event.

 

What if we could give our community and clients a one-stop place to meet, to have that very important face-to-face conversation with some talented home improvement professionals? And the Show was born,” says Labianca.

 

The demos and presentations include Antique Window Repair with Paul Lewis of 2GFN, How to Get Your Dream Garden with Laura Janney of The Inspired Garden, Home Maintenance 101 with Ernie Borsellino of All-Pro Home Inspections, Fitted and Folded: How to Fold a Fitted Sheet with Frances Greene of Grit + Honey Home Organizing, The Ladies of SoMa at Home, with Sarah Gee of Sarah Gee Interiors and Carla Labianca of Danbrot + Labianca Properties, and more.

 

Additional sponsor, Guy Aboutboul of Guaranteed Rate, will be on hand to discuss renovation loans and mortgage products.

 

SandWiCheRia Food Truck will be on hand to provide a hip and fast Peruvian Street Food experience.

Tickets are $10 online through April 22nd or $15 the day of at the door.

 

Contacts

Media: Carla Labianca, Carla.labianca@compass.com, 917-854-7686

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Business Culture Economics Government Local News Programs & Events

In March, Mercer County, SBDC recognize five ‘unstoppable’ small businesses

In celebration of National Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Day on March 15, five Mercer County businesses were presented with certificates of appreciation as part of the SBDC of The College of New Jersey’s second annual Mercer Unstoppables Program for making remarkable strides to launch and/or grow their physical locations under pandemic conditions.

 

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes, County Director of Economic Development Anthony Carabelli Jr. and Lilian Mauro, Regional Director of the SBDC at TCNJ, presented the certificates to honorees during a ceremony at the Mercer County Administration Building in Trenton.

Here are the 2023 Mercer County Unstoppable Businesses, as selected by the SBDC at TCNJ for their ability to expand their existing businesses or launch entirely new businesses under challenging economic and labor conditions:

• Enterprise Solutions Accounting LLC, Ewing– Henry Pulido, owner
• K’s Event Decorations and Rentals, Hamilton – Antonia James, owner
• Little King Sandwich Shop, Hamilton – Robert Mustardo, owner
• Nonstop Fitness, Lawrence – Marcus Eaddy and David Milligan, owners
• Walkers Caribbean Grill, Ewing – Lovell Walker and Nordia Henry-Walker, owners

“We know the edge of prosperity in this country is in our small businesses, and without them all businesses would fail,” said County Executive Hughes. “Mercer County is grateful for people who take the risk, take the opportunity and the chance of opening up a business.”

 

“We know the edge of prosperity in this country is in our small businesses, and without them all businesses would fail,” said County Executive Hughes. “Mercer County is grateful for people who take the risk, take the opportunity and the chance of opening up a business.”

Ms. Mauro added, “All of this would not be possible without the help and support we have for more than 15 years from Mercer County. Thanks to them we have been able to offer the Spanish language program as well to all businesses, to not just to start, but to move forward to the next level.”

Learn more about these businesses and their stories at https://www.sbdcnj.com/unstoppables/.

Since 1981, America’s Small Business Development Center at The College of New Jersey has been helping greater Mercer County established businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to create and grow successful, profitable businesses. Through a combination of business counseling and training services, we help our clients achieve their business goals. If you are interested in learning more, visit https://www.sbdcnj.com/.

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Environment Local News Programs & Events Science

Win a week of Nature Camp with Mercer County Park Commission

HAMILTON, N.J. — The Mercer County Park Commission announces a Camp Giveaway to send two lucky children to Summer Nature Camp.

 

Caption: Campers enjoy a trail adventure at Mercer County Park Commission Nature Camp.

During this promotion, running from April 17-23, Mercer County families will have one chance each day to be entered into a Grand Prize drawing at the end of the week.

 

Two Grand Prizes will be awarded:

  • 1 Week (June 26-30) of Aquatic Adventures Kayaking Camp for a 13-to-15-year-old Child*
  • 1 Week (Aug. 7-11) of Tulpehaking Nature Camp for a 10-to-12-year-old Child *

 

There are two ways to enter the drawing, and participating families may enter in one or both ways.

 

  • Online – Each day from April 17-21, post a picture highlighting “nature in your neighborhood” on your Instagram page tagging @MCPC_tulpehaking and naming the camp (either Kayak or TNC Camp) you want to attend. Up to one entry per family per day.
  • In-person – On April 22-23, visit the Tulpehaking Nature Center during open hours to find the “Tully the Wonder Turtle” icon. Take a picture of yourself with the icon and post it to Instagram tagging @MCPC_tulpehaking and naming the camp (Kayak or TNC Camp) you want to attend. Up to one entry per family per day.

The raffle drawing will be conducted on April 24, 2023. Winners will then be notified to register for their winning week of camp tuition-free. For more information about the Camp Giveaway, please contact 609-888-3218, ext. 201.

General regulations:

  • Children must have reached the minimum age of their camp by Oct. 1, 2022.
  • Aquatic Adventures Kayaking Camp runs June 26-30.
  • Tulpehaking Nature Camp runs Aug. 7-11.
  • No purchase is necessary to enter.
  • Participants must reside in Mercer County, NJ.
  • Employees of the Mercer County Park Commission are not eligible to participate.

Park Commission Summer Nature Camps have been connecting children with the wonders of nature for over 10 years with hands-on, experiential and fun activities that build children’s knowledge and comfort with the outdoors. All camps are led by trained and dedicated Naturalist staff. This summer, the full camp season runs for five weeks conducted at three different locations within the park system.

 

Caption: Find Tully the Wonder Turtle at Tulpehaking Nature Center as one way to enter the Camp Giveaway.

Baldpate Nature Camp will be held for two weeks this summer, July 24-28 and July 31-Aug. 4 at Baldpate Mountain in Titusville. Baldpate Nature Camp is designed to enhance children’s natural affinity for the great outdoors for children ages 7-9 and 10-12 years. Hands-on nature explorations, science experiments, hikes through the forest and unstructured nature play create the foundation for each camp week. Camp days are devoted to a specific nature topic such as arthropods, forest ecology, birds and wildlife tracking.

 

Tulpehaking Nature Camp will run the week of Aug. 7-11 at the Tulpehaking Nature Center in Hamilton. Children ages 7-9 and 10-12 will discover nature through the lens of the Lenape people who inhabited this freshwater tidal marsh centuries ago and continue to view it as their homeland. Campers will explore the unique ecology and history of the Abbott Marshlands through hands-on outdoor explorations paired with traditional Lenape games and crafts.

 

Aquatic Adventure Camp will continue this summer at the Mercer County Park Marina with Angler’s Adventure Fishing Camp for children ages 10-12 years and Kayak Adventure Camp for children ages 13-15 years. Camps will be offered June 26-30 and July 10-14. Aquatic Adventure Camp blends environmental science with summer fun! Campers become immersed in freshwater ecology as they explore Mercer Lake and observe its scaly and feathered residents.

 

Regular camp tuition ranges from $250-300/week for Mercer County residents and $350-400/week for out-of-county residents. Camps are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and some camps are already full. Please check https://register.communitypass.net/mercer for current availability and to register.

The Mercer County Park Commission’s Summer Nature Camp brochure may be found on their website at www.mercercounty.org/parks.

About Tulpehaking Nature Center:

The Tulpehaking Nature Center is located at 157 Westcott Ave., Hamilton, N.J. 08610. It is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

 

The nature center provides programs and exhibits that encourage visitors to explore the nature and history of the Abbott Marshlands. It is owned by the County of Mercer and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission.

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Culture Environment Healthcare Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events Science Weather & Environment

Mercer Mosquito Control reminds residents about spring cleanup

As warmer weather fast approaches, the Mercer County Mosquito Control Unit advises that now is the perfect time to clear your property of any unused objects that may hold water and harbor mosquitoes.

 

If removing containers is not possible, they should be stored properly so as not to collect water. Containers such as tires, buckets, children’s toys, corrugated downspout extensions, birdbaths, potted plant saucers, and neglected swimming pools or ornamental ponds are all suitable habitats for mosquitoes.

 

Some species of mosquitoes thrive in containers that hold very small amounts of water (as little as a bottlecap), which can easily be overlooked and become problematic, especially after plants around your property develop foliage.

 

The Mosquito Control Unit encourages everyone to routinely survey their property and remove standing water.

 

Please remember: STANDING WATER + 7 DAYS = MOSQUITOES.

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Business Environment Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events Science

D&R Greenway Land Trust announces dates for in-person Spring 2023 Native Plant Sale

PRINCETON, N.J. — D&R Greenway announces over fifty species of healthy local plants are ready for purchase at their annual Native Plant Sale sales taking place this spring in April. The Nursery is on the grounds of D&R Greenway’s Conservation Campus at the Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, [off Rosedale Road] Princeton, NJ 08540.

 

A bee collects pollen from an Echinecia (cone flower) plant

Planting natives enhances home gardens in natural beauty, attracts butterflies and birds in the landscape, and contributes to protection of a healthy bioregion.

 

Tina Notas, Director of Land Stewardship for D&R Greenway, remarks, “By adding locally-grown native plants to your garden, you’ll be rewarded with a melodious chorus of pollinators, including native birds. There are so many gorgeous native plants to choose from that will benefit wildlife and support our ecosystem.”

 

D&R Greenway’s comprehensive online catalog for review provides thorough plant descriptions, and pro-tips from D&R Greenway’s experienced Stewardship team. The catalog clearly addresses specific home garden conditions, such as filtered sun and varying soil conditions.

 

Possibilities include “Wildflowers, Herbaceous Shrubs, Trees, Ferns and even Grasses” as well as popular Cardinal flower, Purple Coneflower, Winterberry Holly, Blueberry, and Oaks.   https://drgreenway.org/shop/native-plants/

 

D&R Greenway’s native trees, shrubs, perennial wildflowers, grasses, and ferns are grown either on-site or purchased from reputable local native-plant growers. Native Plant Nursery specimens are grown from locally sourced starter plants, and are free of harmful nicotinoid insecticides. Planting natives that evolved locally requires less maintenance, in terms of fertilizer, water and pesticides.

 

The sale dates are: Thursday, April 20, 12:00 – 4:00 pm; Friday, April 21, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm; and EARTH DAY: Saturday, April 22, 9:00 am – 11:30 pm. Native Plant Sale proceeds support D&R Greenway’s preservation and stewardship mission. www.drgreenway.org.

 

####

About D&R Greenway Land Trust:

D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 22,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989 and 44 miles of trails.

 

By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on connecting land with people from all walks of life.

 

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As COVID-Era SNAP Benefits End, HelloFresh Increases Support to Help Those Facing Food Insecurity

  • 100,000 additional meals will be donated to food banks across the country
  • HelloFresh announces the temporary opening of an additional free Community Fresh Market in Colorado

 

NEW YORK — (BUSINESS WIRE) — HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit company and food solutions group, announced today an increase in their “Beyond the Box” program to support food banks as COVID-19 SNAP benefits have expired.

 

As part of its mission to support those facing food insecurity, the company pledges to provide 100,000 additional meals across a number of its brands – HelloFresh, Green Chef, and EveryPlate – this Spring to food banks and non-profit partners around the country – an extension to their existing donation programs.


The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides assistance to 41 million people suffering from food insecurity by providing them a monthly benefit to use on food purchases. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of people lost their jobs, SNAP benefits were temporarily increased to help low-income families. The supplemental benefits expired this February, as a signal that the pandemic is coming to an end. This month, the average SNAP household has seen at least $95 less in benefits, with some seeing a reduction of $250 or more.

 

“While an end to the pandemic is a welcome note, many families continue to face food insecurity, especially with record inflation contributing to higher food costs,” said Jeff Yorzyk, Senior Director of Sustainability for HelloFresh US. “Many people are turning to their local food banks to help fill the void – unfortunately some of which are not equipped for the influx. Our goal is to help our partners put healthy, nutritious food on the tables of as many Americans as possible in this time of need.”

 

HelloFresh is donating 100,000 extra meals, including meal kits, ready-to-heat dinners and nutritious sides to food banks including Table to Table in New Jersey, Second Helpings Atlanta in Georgia, Tarrant Area Food Bank in Texas and St. Mary’s Food Bank in Arizona. The company is also increasing support by adding a second temporary Community Fresh Market in Colorado. This farmer’s market style distribution, hosted by Denver-based hunger relief organization, We Don’t Waste, will be open bi-weekly from April through July, to whoever needs it and will provide a variety of fresh produce, proteins and dairy items at no cost.

 

“This is a critical time for our community. With the reduction of SNAP benefits on top of rising inflation for food, we’ve seen food insecurity increase and demand for our programs has skyrocketed. We’ve seen a 63% increase in attendance at the Community Fresh Markets from this time last year. And seniors, experiencing an even greater reduction in benefits, have nearly doubled in attendance,” said Arlan Preblud, Founder and Executive Director for We Don’t Waste. “We’re now providing food access to over 10,000 individuals each month through these markets. We Don’t Waste is really grateful to work with partners like HelloFresh. They are helping us provide consistent food access to help strengthen our community.”

 

Beyond the Box helps those in need

HelloFresh aims to change the way people eat, forever, inclusive of those facing food insecurity. Their US-based social impact program called Beyond the Box, focuses on reducing food waste and creating a more equitable food system for those in need.

 

The program consists of their “Meals with Meaning” initiative, launched in 2020, as a response to the pandemic and elevated rates of food insecurity. To date, Meals with Meaning has provided more than 4 million free meal kits to individuals in need, with each kit containing HelloFresh ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards to create home-cooked meals.

 

Through the remainder of the year, HelloFresh will increase their Meals With Meaning donations in Newark, New Jersey. In partnership with the City of Newark and food-rescue organization, Table to Table, this site represents the company’s first and largest Meals with Meaning program.

 

“More than 850,000 people in New Jersey depend on federal food assistance to sustain themselves or their families,” said Amiri Baraka, Jr., Chief of Staff for the City of Newark. “With inflation so high, individuals are struggling to put food on the table right now. We need to ensure that those who need help have access to it. We’re incredibly grateful for companies like HelloFresh who are partnering with us to fill this critical need.”

 

HelloFresh also continues to focus on its sustainability and social impact efforts by contributing nearly 19 million pounds of surplus food in the US in 2022, supporting more than 40 food banks and pantries across the country.

 

To learn more about HelloFresh’s Beyond the Box program, including Meals with Meaning, visit https://www.hellofresh.com.

 

About HelloFresh

HelloFresh is the world’s leading meal-kit company. Founded in Berlin in November 2011, the Company now operates across 18 international markets. In 2022, HelloFresh furthered their mission to “change the way people eat forever” by delivering more than 490 million meals to customers across the U.S. HelloFresh was voted the Most Trusted Meal Kit Delivery Service in America in 2021 and 2022 by Newsweek. HelloFresh has offices in New York, Chicago, and Boulder. For more information, visit www.hellofresh.com.

Contacts

Press

Abigail Dreher 860-922-4598
Associate Director, Corporate Communications prusa@hellofresh.com
HelloFresh US www.hellofresh.com

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Education Lifestyle Programs & Events

Barnes & Noble Education and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to launch First Day® Complete program to enhance student success

30,000 + students will have access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes and electronic book versions before the first day of class

 

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Barnes and Noble College (BNC), a Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) company and leading solutions provider for the education industry, today announced the upcoming launch of First Day® Complete at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (“UNC Charlotte”).

 

Barnes & Noble College (BNC), which manages BNED’s campus bookstores and associated school branded e-commerce sites, will be implementing First Day Complete for more than 30,000 UNC Charlotte students enrolled in fall 2023 semester courses.

 

By delivering all course materials via one highly convenient concierge service, First Day Complete ensures students have access to all their required course materials on or before the first day of class, allowing them to engage with course content from day one, making them better prepared and facilitating their academic success.

 

The program offers full academic freedom for faculty, allowing them to select course materials they think are best for their curriculum and leverage BNC’s deep relationships with more than 6,000 publishers, creating a one-stop, simplified experience.

 

With the launch of First Day Complete for the fall 2023 semester, all UNC Charlotte students will have access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, digital materials and electronic books in a convenient bundle before the first day of class at average student savings of between 35-50%.

 

“We are excited about our partnership with UNC Charlotte as we implement First Day Complete to enhance student outcomes,” said Jonathan Shar, President, Barnes & Noble College. “First Day Complete ensures students are prepared to begin learning on day one, driving greater student success while also offering a more affordable and convenient way for students to obtain their course materials. We support UNC Charlotte’s mission of providing the highest quality education, and through this partnership, we will provide a wide range of academic solutions and a seamless retail experience to help to drive success for UNC Charlotte students in the classroom and beyond. We look forward to working with UNC Charlotte and our other partner schools to continue delivering solutions that empower academic success for all students.”

 

Doug Lape, associate vice chancellor for Business Services, recognized the far-reaching impact the program will have on textbook affordability and educational accessibility for students at Charlotte. “The First Day Complete program provides us the ability to deliver course materials to students at a more affordable rate while driving student success by ensuring students have their coursework (both physical and digital formats) in their hands on the first day of class,” Lape said.

 

With First Day Complete, instead of purchasing course materials a la carte, the cost is included in each student’s account when tuition is charged. In July 2023, students will receive an email from the UNC Charlotte bookstore prompting them to select their preferred delivery method for their fall semester materials. The bookstore will prepare materials for each student and notify them when materials are available for in-store pickup or have shipped. Digital materials will be automatically delivered to students.

 

Hear what students, faculty and administrators had to say about their experiences using First Day Complete and how it has made a positive impact at their institutions. Watch the video, here.

 

For more information about BNC’s First Day Complete, visit, www.bncollege.com/academic-solutions/first-day-complete/.

 

Barnes & Noble College, a Barnes & Noble Education company, currently operates more than 770 campus stores nationwide. For more information about Barnes & Noble College’s services and locations, visit http://www.bncollege.com.

 

ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic solutions, a digital direct-to-student learning ecosystem, wholesale capabilities and more. BNED is a company serving all who work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students, faculty and institutions as they make tomorrow a better, more inclusive and smarter world. For more information, visit www.bned.com.

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908-991-2776

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