Countdown has been recently recognised as a Good Business Egg in the Health and Wellbeing category at this year’s Business and Community Shares’ (BACS) awards, which showcase the best of excellent community investment. Of all 85 New Zealand businesses considered for the awards, only 16 made the cut and were allocated into three categories (health and wellbeing, education and skills and community empowerment) for the final judging.
“Our team are passionate about being active in their local communities and do a lot of great work to get behind the causes Countdown supports,” said James Walker, head of corporate affairs.
Amongst Countdown’s initiatives that were taken into account are its support of Alzheimers New Zealand, the Food Rescue Programme, Free Fruit for Kids and Kids Hospital Appeal. Between June 2014 and June 2015, the company and its customers contributed almost $7 million of cash and in kind donations, and 3.5 million worth of food went to families in need.
“Countdown have made a consistent effort to work with their local communities and support causes that will make a difference for a wide range of people, which is exactly what our judges are looking for in the award finalists,” said Julie Donvin-Irons, director, BACS.
The two other winners were Contact Energy, taking home the award for Community Empowerment, and KPMG, which topped the Education and Skills category.
