A group of heroes who spent much of the last 18 months packing bags, delivering food and helping the community, was given some tasty rewards for its efforts.
“I wanted to show appreciation to the Grocery Heroes (at Country Foot Mart AG Foods in Black Diamond),” said Laurie Rowe of Jordan Ridge Sauces.
Rowe gave a package to each of the 31 employees at AG Foods as part of Grocery Heroes Day on July 19.
Each package had a personal note from Rowe as well as a pair of sauces.
“For example, here’s one for Mark (Muller, Black Diamond AG Foods owner), ‘Some heroes wear capes, others deliver grocery orders to people’s doorsteps after their work shift is done. Thank you,”’ Rowe said.
“Mark went out at the start of the pandemic when people didn’t want to come out. He would take in orders and after work he would deliver food at people’s doorsteps – this was what he was doing to support the community.
“This store is so community based and community minded... It’s a happening store.”
AG Foods helped recognize a Black Diamond business — Jordan Ridge Sauces — and started selling the new company’s sauces about four years ago.
Muller was all smiles to receive and distribute the packages to his staff.
“This is wonderful,” Muller said. “These last 16, 18 months have been a really tough go.
“The staff every day would come into this kind of a ‘hot zone’. You keep your mask on, you keep your fingers crossed and try to keep your distance.
“It’s a hard thing to do.”
He said in the initial stages of the pandemic he was changing his clothes on the deck when coming home before entering the house.
“You get concerned about bringing something home to your family as well,” Muller said.
He said it took a while to adjust initially with one-way arrows and social distancing, but fortunately everyone contributed – including the community.
“People were great,” Muller said. “We had so much support and positive feedback.
“Kudos, thank-yous for what we do. And this (the Jordan Ridge Sauces bags) is awesome.”
