Lee’s Transition from Western Family to Food Club
Lee’s Summer Food Show was the first glimpse into the transition to Food Club brand for many of our guests. It is a change that Lee’s believes will give the best selection and value to our guests and we are very excited about it. Here at Lee’s, a lot of care is taken to ensure that our decisions and offerings will have a positive effect on the families and communities we serve. It is not taken lightly and is something we are anxiously excited to share with you, our loyal guests.
Food Club brand is very well known throughout the country and is used in large retailers predominantly from the Northeast, South, and Midwest. Their expansion is bringing them to stores in the West, such as Associated Food Stores.
Food Club is a brand that made its start in 1945, growing and developing over time. It has become a household name as it has grown to carry a large variety of products for all of their consumer’s needs. With over 2,600 items available, buying the exclusive brand has never been easier or better for your wallet. It is a brand that retailers and grocers across the country have come to trust and have pride in.
Food Club works endlessly, researching the leading brands and creating competitive products. Keeping up with what consumers are looking for in their products is something done with great care and diligence. Researchers focus on creating products that keep them relevant to the growing trends and need of their consumers.
Food Club scientists are constantly testing and formulating their product to always be a higher quality than the industry standards. Many, many hours go into a product before it ever hits the shelf, such as testing, recipe changes, and formula changes, they are able to constantly improve.
For example, finding the correct consistency, color, and taste for chunky peanut butter is a very technical process. In order to create a product with peanuts in it that is still spreadable, consistent in texture and devoid of air pockets, scientists must diligently alter recipe after recipe. The finished product is something that Food Club is able to take immense pride in.
The knowledge and passion for their food is something they are excited about. Their pride in their product is contagious and extremely important to the grocery industry. It makes trusting the Food Club brand with the quality that Lee’s guests deserve, easy.
Lee’s has carried Western Family for years, trusting the quality and having the assurance that it is worth carrying for our guests. So many are wondering why make the change? Although we know the transition will take a lot of getting used to, we believe it’s worth it.
Food Club offers an expansive variety of products in all major sections of the grocery store. Lee’s will have access to the over 2,600 individual items from Food Club. This means that there will be more options in specialty items, more flavors, and products that you love from the name brands in a competitive price range
Food Club is very passionate about their Clean Label initiative. They believe in simpler labels and ingredients you can pronounce, for a healthier, happier family. Creating simpler ingredient lists and labels are just one of the many things that the Food Club brand continually improves and adjusts.
Our families are eating much differently than we did growing up, or even before that. Although there are foods we still enjoy, there are also many other items that are new and exciting. Food Club diligently stays up with the trends, flavors, product lines and varieties that the name brands are offering.
Lee’s is excited and ready to showcase these new items, and we believe that Food Club has our best interest in mind. With the support from AFS during this transition, know that this is a large change throughout the grocery industry in many of the western states.
The transition will be done over time, helping to keep items from being out of stock in the warehouse or on the shelves. AFS and Lee’s are prepared with a plan that will work for guests, and Lee’s team. Throughout the year you will slowly see the green Food Club label appearing on products you know and love around the store.
In each of our 5 locations, there is a Food Club champion who keeps an eye on the transition for each department and product. This champion, as well as the management office, will help to coordinate a seamless transition for the product. They are a direct resource and trainer for their fellow team members of the year. The Food Club champion as other team members will be available to answer any of your questions or concerns through the change.
The big questions we are all anxious to know are: What is the price difference? How does the quality compare? Will this affect milk, meat, and other perishable items?
Pricing will not only be similar to Western Family products, in some cases it will actually be better. With a larger variety of products, in some instances Food Club is able to beat the pricing, offering a delicious product for a better deal.
Food Club’s quality standards are extremely high, similarly to Western Family. In many cases they use the same manufacturing plants for their products, delivering the identical product. The products that do differ in location are from plants that are known to be reliable and take pride in their quality.
Western Family meats such as packaged breakfast meats, deli meats, frozen meats, and others will transition over to Buckley Farms. They are known for their grass-fed, natural product, and will be a high-quality transition for similar pricing.
Overall, it should be a slow and smooth transition to the Food Club brand. Lee’s is excited to carry a high-quality brand, with a large variety of products at a competitive price. Keep an eye out for the green Food Club label coming to your Lee’s location soon.
