Barber Foods Works to Promote Healthy Hearts and Bodies

This spring, associates at Barber Foods joined together in a multifaceted campaign to raise awareness and dollars for the American Heart Association (AHA). Associates bought $1 red hearts to decorate the walls of the lobby, raffled staff-funded gift baskets and organized a yard sale open to the community. The effort culminated with the 12th annual Southern Maine Heart Walk on May 16th. A team of nearly thirty Barber Foods associates led by CEO, Bruce Wagner, turned out to represent the company and walk around the Back Bay in Portland to raise awareness and support for the organization. The Heart Walk drew a record turnout of over 1,500 people and raised over $285,000 for the AHA (1). The Barber Foods team not only participated in the walk but also helped serve up heart-healthy Chicken Grillables® at the finish line.

A culture of health and wellness.

The emphasis on wellness is nothing new to Barber Foods. Promoting healthy lifestyles through diet and exercise is an undercurrent in the Barber Foods community. Associates receive support from staffed Health Coaches and from one another at on-site meetings which target weight-loss driven by long-term lifestyle adjustments. Friendly competition is fostered among various walking groups which compete for the pride and prizes awarded to the group logging the most miles.

Passing efforts on to Barber Foods customers.

In 2009, Barber Foods completed a healthy re-stage project which resulted in improved nutritional content across the Barber Foods product portfolio. Fat, caloric and sodium content were reduced in signature frozen stuffed chicken breast products. The company continually strives to make products that are healthier, more convenient, and that make dinner a little more unexpected.

Visit the American Heart Association website to learn more about engaging in a heart-healthy lifestyle and make a donation to help prevent the spread of heart disease through education and research. 

CEO Bruce Wagner (right), alongside VP of Brand Marketing, Mark Dvorozniak, and son, Luke, keeping tabs on the electronics table at the AHA yard sale at Barber Foods		Sam Simonson, spouse of Sue Simonson, Office Manager, chats with Katie Rooks from AHA
Peggy Ledoux, longtime Barber Foods associate and Administrative Assistant extraordinaire		At the 12th Annual Southern ME Heart Walk, Laura Peterson (Human Resources) is joined by her family
Wielding spatulas and aprons, Sonya Dobson (Production Administration) and Basim Musliu (Engineering) prepare Grillables at the finish line		Wendy Blauvelt, a Customer Accounts Administrator, and Scott Schmitz, Director of Technical Services, walk around the Back Bay

(1) Creamer, Melanie. "Lots of heart as marchers raise funds." Portland Press Herald. 5/17/10.