Whether it’s a marriage, time at an organization, anniversary of a significant event, a decade is a significant milestone that deserves to be celebrated.
In 2020, Fustini’s Oils & Vinegar’s Holland is celebrating their 10 year anniversary in being a part of the downtown Holland community. And they’re commemorating this milestone in an intentional way.
From March 1 to May 31, 2020, Fustini’s will donate $1 for every bottle sold to the work and mission of West Michigan’s Kids’ Food Basket.
Celebrating a Decade of Deliciousness
For a small retail shop, recognizing 10 years feels significant. While they started with just two main products - EVOO and balsamic vinegar - they’ve expanded to feature a wide range of additional pantry items, other condiments, and of course, culinary experiences through the School of Cooking.
“The Delicious Decade is a way to celebrate all the delicious things that have happened in the past 10 years,” said Denise Walburg, who has served as Holland’s store manager for the past decade. “It’s delicious because of the relationships with customers who now have become part of our ‘Fustini's Family.’ It’s because of the hundreds of recipes and thousands of people who have taken a cooking class. It’s because we look forward to all the savory things to come.”
Launching a fundraiser to celebrate those 10 years just makes sense for the Fustini’s culture. Partnering with Kids’ Food Basket is an opportunity to blend their passions for providing healthy foods and supporting their community.
“Our whole management philosophy is based upon servant leadership,” Denise said. “What can we give to others that will enable them to do their best? Whether it’s giving the Fustini's team what they need to provide our guests the best experience, or serving our customers so they can give the best gift or create the best meal, this is a way we can empower our community. When it’s easier for kids to be fed and learn and be at their best, our whole community becomes better.”
Matching Healthy Kids with a Thriving Community
This isn’t the first time Fustini’s has partnered with Kids’ Food Basket, which is an organization that sets kids up for success by providing nutritious foods to contribute to their flourishing and creating a vibrant community. They serve thousands of kids across West Michigan through their Sack Suppers. Through this program, kids can take home a nutritious meal home from school to ensure they’ll be well fed.
“Since we are in the food business, we have intentionally focused on ways we can help with health and nutrition. To be able to support an organization like Kids Food Basket is ideal to give kids the meal they need and don't have to worry about going hungry.”
Not only do Kids Food Basket programs feed kids, they provide them the right kinds of foods. “What is great about KFB is they don't fill a bag with junk food for the kids. They intentionally focus on healthy foods to provide for kids who need a meal.”
Fustini’s has sought out opportunities to providing kids healthy meals through Kids Food Basket.
When Fustini’s launched the “West Michigan Blueberry” balsamic vinegar, they celebrated with with a fundraiser. For every bottle of blueberry balsamic sold, they donated $1 to Kids’ Food Basket, which raised over $250.
They also recently participated in “The Big Give” event in downtown Holland where they donated almost $400 to support Kids’ Food Basket.
“If we can do something to make our community, and especially the kids in our community better, stronger, smarter, healthier, then we will all live in a better place and have a better future,” Denise said.