LAKELAND, Fla., Aug. 21, 2024 — Once again, Publix has been named on PEOPLE’s Companies that Care list, ranking No. 15 for 2024. The list highlights top U.S. companies that have succeeded in business while demonstrating outstanding respect, care and concern for their employees, communities and the environment.
“We’re honored to be recognized as a company focused on taking care of others,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous. “Our founder, George Jenkins, believed in the importance of being there for both his associates and the community. More than 90 years later, we’re honored to continue his legacy of service.”
Care for associates
Publix is committed to being a great place to work. From company ownership to a promote-from-within culture, Publix believes in investing in its associates. The company frequently reviews its benefits, and in 2024, enhanced its paid time off for associates.
Care for communities
Publix is also dedicated to serving its neighbors in need. In 2024, it reached the milestone of donating more than 100 million pounds of produce to Feeding America partner food banks. Publix began purchasing produce at the height of the pandemic in 2020 to help struggling farmers and provide additional fresh fruits and vegetables to food bank partners. Publix also launched the biannual Good Together hunger campaign (formerly known as Feeding More Together) in 2021, allowing customers to donate at the register to provide the food items needed most by local food banks and pantries. Through the Good Together food donation program, the company also donates food from its stores that is no longer salable but still safe for consumption.
Care for the environment
Publix works with organizations, such as the Arbor Day Foundation, National Audubon Society, National Park Foundation (NPF) and FORCE BLUE, on conservation projects. These efforts focus on restoring forests, water, coral reefs and improving habitats for native species. In April 2024, the inaugural Good Together environmental campaign raised more than $2.3 million to help care for and protect natural resources. Donations raised in Florida stores helped support coastal conservation through FORCE BLUE, and NPF. In Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, contributions supported reforestation efforts through the Arbor Day Foundation.
Methodology
In compiling the list, PEOPLE partnered with Great Place to Work to analyze surveys and data from more than 8.2 million employees on their experiences of how their workplaces have made a difference in their lives and communities. Rankings also reflect Great Place to Work’s assessment of the generosity of each organization’s benefits and its philanthropic and community support, with a particular focus on activities that occurred in the last year.
To read about the ranking and see the PEOPLE Companies that Care list, visit greatplacetowork.com/companies-that-care/2024.