Announcing our 2024 Community Product Recipient – and Some New Community Products

Happy New Year everybody! It’s our first blog of 2024, and time to make a couple of announcements. But before we begin, here’s some background on one of our key fundraisers.

Vince’s Community Product Initiative (CPI) is an annual campaign that involves our four stores, our vendors – and our customers. It’s an opportunity to raise significant funds for a non-profit organization that makes a huge difference in the communities we serve. Working with our vendors, we identify a variety of items – typically staples – and then set aside 15 percent of sales from these Community Products throughout the year. Since launching the CPI in 2018, we’ve raised $150K for organizations that include CHATS, Canadian Mental Health Association, Southlake Hospital, Women’s Centre of York Region, and more.

Starting January 4, we introduced two new community products, which will be featured until March 6. We hope you’ll enjoy them!

Vince’s Own Chili

Made in small batches in our commissary, Vince’s Own Chili is the ideal cold weather comfort food. This homestyle recipe uses basic ingredients to create a delicious hearty chili that is perfect for lunch, whether you’re at school, work, or home. Paired with crackers or a slice of fresh bread, it’s also a great accompaniment to an afternoon or evening of watching the big game on TV.

Compliments Chips

Who doesn’t like crispy, delicious potato chips – whether dipped or on their own? Compliments chips come in a variety of popular flavours – regular, salt & vinegar, all-dressed, and more – and offer brand-name quality at a bargain price. With so many sporting events over the next several weeks and months, these could become a staple for the sports fans in your household.

Whether you purchase our chili, the potato chips, or the many other items being featured in 2024, 15 percent of sales will be set aside to support our 2024 CPI recipient: Toonies for Tummies. The TFT campaign, spearheaded by the Grocery Foundation, brings together shoppers, grocery retailers across the country, and many brands that are retailed in these stores, to raise money to support over 1 million hungry children by providing funding to local school nutrition programs.

Thanks to the generous support of participating retailers and brands, 100% of donations made by shoppers directly benefit programs in the store’s vicinity. These programs are increasingly vital to the 1 in 3 children at risk of going to school on an empty stomach. The healthy breakfasts and morning meals offered in these stigma-free programs support children’s nutrition and their academic success.

Last year, and with the help of Coca Cola Bottling, Vince’s raised $7,600 for TFT during its annual two-week campaign. We look forward to big results with an entire year to raise funds for this life-changing program!

— Neil