Supermarket chain suspends political contributions after protests
Publix Super Markets, a perennial top finisher in customer service and customer satisfaction surveys, has been drawn into the nation’s political maelstrom.
The Lakeland, Florida-based chain announced it has suspended its political donations and will re-evaluate its “giving processes.” The announcement came in the wake of protests and calls for a boycott led by a student activist from Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Fla., following a report by the Tampa Bay Times that Publix has donated $670,000 to Florida gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam over the past three years. A Republican, Putnam currently serves as Florida’s secretary of agriculture and consumer services. He is a strong supporter of the National Rifle Association and gun rights.
“At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues,” the retailer said in a statement on its web site. “We regret our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate. At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers.”
“We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve,” Publix continued. “As a result, we decided earlier last week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we re-evaluate our giving processes.
The Lakeland, Florida-based chain announced it has suspended its political donations and will re-evaluate its “giving processes.” The announcement came in the wake of protests and calls for a boycott led by a student activist from Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Fla., following a report by the Tampa Bay Times that Publix has donated $670,000 to Florida gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam over the past three years. A Republican, Putnam currently serves as Florida’s secretary of agriculture and consumer services. He is a strong supporter of the National Rifle Association and gun rights.
“At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues,” the retailer said in a statement on its web site. “We regret our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate. At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers.”
“We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve,” Publix continued. “As a result, we decided earlier last week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we re-evaluate our giving processes.