The grocery shuffle continues in Statesboro as both Harvey's became Food World on Monday.
        They are now part of an 85-store chain which is owned by HAC, Inc. HAC is an employee-owned regional supermarket chain based in Oklahoma, which operates the stores under six different banners including Food World.
        Since I announced this change a few months ago, I have fielded lots of questions from many of you about what this means. I met with Phillip Payment, the vice president of Marketing and Merchandising for HAC at the Fair Road store and shared your questions. our concerns are that this is just more of the same.
        After walking through the store and spending time with the leadership team, I can tell you that is certainly not the case. They have done extensive consumer marketing research at both locations, prior to entering the market. From their research they learned that the Statesboro consumers want higher quality products, more variety, access to locally grown produce and organics. They want a local management team that is empowered to make local decisions and order products that we are now driving to Savannah to get.
        According to Payment, "Because we are employee owned, pleasing the customer is our primary goal. We know our markets are different and we understand our customer needs are different from store to store. Our primary distributor is Associated Wholesale Grocers, whose ownership is a co-op structure. This means they are owned by us, their customers, and it allows them to be more responsive to our needs.
        "In addition, to working with AWG, we will be working with direct to store delivery companies for regional and local products. Products like Claxton Chicken will be delivered fresh from the plant to the store, bypassing the distribution facility."
        A sign that they are really listening and want to operate differently in the market, is indicated with their relationship with United Natural Foods, which distributes more than 65,000 products from leading and emerging natural, organic and specialty product manufactures. One of United Natural's largest clients is Whole Foods.
        Payment added, "Be patient and watch for a complete reset of the Fair Road Store by mid to late July incorporating more organic and specialty products. The focus of the Northside Drive store will be more value driven."
        Customers can expect to see the same friendly faces they've come to know and trust when shopping the stores. Food World will offer a strong line of Best Choice and Always Save private label items, Georgia grown products, triple inspected produce and a brand new Passport to Rewards card to use at the register for special promotions and giveaways, including a brand new 2014 Ford F150. Each time a customer uses their Passport to Rewards card they will automatically be entered to win the truck. Only customers in Statesboro and Vidalia will be included in the truck giveaway.
        Additionally, Food World will offer double coupons and special sales throughout the week, including Wild Wednesdays.
        Please email DeWayne at dgrice@statesboroherald.com or give him a call at (912) 489-9499.