National Black Wall Street Chicago
an affiliate of National Black Wall Street USA
the national campaign to create, sustain and increase Black business
4655 South King Drive, Suite 203
Chicago, Illinois 60653
773-268-6900 or direct 773-392-0165
Mark S. Allen
Chicago Chairman, and Chief of staff to National President
Ariana Clayter
Chicago Executive Director
Rev. Willie T. Barrow Consumer Education and Consumer Action Project
JOIN THE CALL TO ACTION - LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF LEGENDARY BLACK BUSINESS REGGIO'S PIZZA WITH PARENT COMPANY OF JEWEL FOOD STORES - LETS PUBLICLY FIGHT TO SUSTAIN AND INCREASE PRODUCTS AND POSITIONING FOR THIS HISTORIC BLACK BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY JOBS!
President & CEO
SuperValu
7075 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Via e-mail wayne.sales@supervalu.com
Dear President/CEO Sales:
It concerns and disturbs the Black community greatly that Jewel would entertain a proposition that would so adversely affect a black vendor whose class is already so disproportionately represented. The Black community is especially concerned about Reggio's sustainability and survival. Reggio's creates and provides jobs to community residents in that they actually produce products.
Reggio's was the only frozen pizza company that had a huge net loss of shelf space in the pizza category at Jewel. Other frozen pizza companies had significant net gain. This is unjust and discriminatory. Reggio's happens to be the only African-American frozen pizza manufacturer in the United States. Although Reggio's employs a diverse workforce, the company is located in the Black community where unemployment is 20% or more and the loss of this shelf space and business will cause Reggio's to have to lay off some of its employees.
Everyone is asking why Reggio's items were discontinued. Jewel Store Directors, Jewel Frozen Food Managers, Jewel employees and customers alike. No other companies are discontinuing Reggio's Pizza. Reggio's is getting more shelf space at some other supermarkets, such as Strack & Van Til/Ultra Foods. Dominick's has not discontinued any of Reggio's items, neither has Walmart.
Jewel's discontinued 4 of 6 Dinner Size items, leaving only 2 Dinner Size Pizzas on the shelf, Dinner Size Cheese and Dinner Size Turkey. The Dinner Size is Reggio's most popular line. The loss of these 4 items represents a net loss of 67% of shelf space for the Dinner Size. In some instances other pizza companies have as many as 25-30 or more large pizza items. Another local company has at least 20 large pizza items in the frozen pizza section, and many other smaller items. Reggio's Dinner Size Sausage Pizza had sales of approximately $120,000/year, or $10,000/month, by Jewel's own account and it was discontinued. This simply does not make sense. It appears as if Reggio's has been targeted by Jewel.
It is reprehensible that Jewel would take such adverse action against a Black vendor when the Black community has overwhelmingly supported Jewel making Jewel Food Stores realize the success that it enjoyed over the past 40-years. Also, the Black community is the largest single ethnic group in Chicago. Anything less than a full restoration of Reggio's products is deemed a slap in the face to the Black community by Jewel/Supervalu. We are urging Jewel to immediately restore all of Reggio's items immediately. Anything less is unacceptable by the Black community. The Black community is further asking that Jewel support Reggio's with promotions, ads and displays, consistent with the way it treats its other frozen pizza vendors.
The Black community and its many organizations are hoping that SuperValu/Jewel emerges from its economic bump in the road, and we are certain that it will under your leadership.
Respectfully,
Mark S. Allen
https://theblacklist.net/
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