Shoppers will be introduced to a completely new grocery experience when Save-On-Foods finishes renovations.
But, for now, they will have to wait until the grand opening.
“It will be a surprise, we don’t want to give everything away,” said store manager Brad Hickey with a laugh. “It is going to be a totally different look.”
Construction is underway with new freezers, expanding aisles and flooring already in. Plans also include a new pharmacy among some other big surprises.
“We wanted to update the store because we are staying in this community and want to give shoppers a taste of something they haven’t had,” said Hickey.
Besides being supporters of local farmers and ranchers, Save-On-Foods has a special section dedicated to local products. With unique flavours and diversity shaping the needs of communities the stores are located in, Save-On-Foods ensures they deliver local products to match those needs. That includes Ambrosia apples from Cawston to jam from Summerland Sweets.
With that type of connection to the community, it is not startling to learn they are also advocates for charity groups and organizations that also give back to the South Okanagan. This includes backing events like Challenge Penticton and the Penticton Vees.
“We like to put focus on kids because they are the future of this community,” said Hickey.
“Last year we raised over $10,000 from just our store alone. All of that money went to the B.C. Children’s Hospital. Overall our stores donated over $2 million and we were very proud to once again be the hospitals biggest corporate donor.”
Funds raised for B.C. Children’s Hospital are directed to the Child Health B.C. program, which gives kids the expert care they need, closer to their hometowns.
Save-On-Foods, which currently has 130 employees in Penticton and will grow to about 200 once renovations are complete, also supplies fruits and veggies to schools from Osoyoos all the way to Summerland. Through the B.C. Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, collectively Save-On-Foods gives over 530,000 kids access to healthy food and teaching initiatives aimed at improving the health of children and families.
The Penticton store also supports the food bank with Feed the Valley.