WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), America’s largest food and retail union, highlighted its national safety initiative entitled, #ShopSmart, to help keep grocery stores open for all and to take three easy steps to keep grocery workers safe from the coronavirus.

As part of the #Shop Smart national safety initiative, the UFCW has launched a national media campaign that includes television ads running in eight cities and 21 media markets, a social media advertising effort, and a full-page advertisement in the New York Times that will emphasize the three steps America’s shoppers must take to help protect the more than one million grocery workers who are working tirelessly to protect our nation’s food supply.

UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:

“To keep our grocery workers safe and grocery stores open for all, it is essential that Americans #ShopSmart and take easy steps to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. All we are asking is that shoppers take these easy safety steps – beginning with always wearing a mask – to help protect these essential grocery workers and make sure that grocery stores continue to be open and a safe place to shop for all of our families. Working together, we can do this, but only if all Americans realize the power that each of us has to fight this virus.”

Today’s full-page advertisement in the New York Times follows the ongoing six-figure national #Shop Smart media campaign highlighted by a new PSA-style commercial that is airing nationally in 21 media markets across 8 states, including the major media markets of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.

Background:

The #Shop Smart New York Times ad can be viewed here, and the text is included below.

SAVE LIVES, SHOP SMART

During this time of national crisis, over one million union and non-union grocery workers are working hard every single day to provide the food and groceries that America’s families depend on.

These are essential jobs performed by amazing men and women. These are good jobs that fulfill a critical public service. These vital grocery stores must stay open and they must be safe.

To help keep all grocery workers and customers safe, we’re asking every American who loves their local grocery store to take the following #ShopSmart Pledge.

• Always wear a mask or face covering when shopping. If you don’t have a mask, learn how to make one at cdc.gov/coronavirus.

• Respect social distancing at all times. Stay 6 feet apart from workers and other customers.

• Discard used masks and gloves safely. Please don’t leave used masks or gloves in a shopping cart or anywhere else – throw them away in the trash.

By working together, we can make sure that our grocery stores remain a safe place to work and shop.

So, please, America… #ShopSmart

Let’s Work Together To Save Lives.

Text ShopSmart to 23396

Visit ufcw.org/shopsmart

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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org.