Shaw’s to Revive Food Pantry Donation Program

Shaw's supermarkets plan to revive a program to donate food to pantries around New England.

Shaw's & Star Market President Paul Gossett says in a letter to Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree that the chain will roll out a new version of its Fresh Rescue program in Massachusetts and Maine. The program will then launch in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Shaw's had previously donated food through Fresh Rescue, but halted the program last year. Pingree then asked the company to explain why.

Pingree, a Democrat, says Thursday that she's glad to see the program coming back. She says the loss of direct food donations "hit some pantries hard."

Gossett's letter says the supermarket's goal is to partner with non-profit organizations that are members of the Feeding America foodbank network. (AP)